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MASTERLIST
fics masterlist!! lmk any fic or oneshot requests
OFFLINE
a 2000's pazzi au where azzi just won a championship and paige is the ceo of a nonprofit and runs the downtown LA nightlife
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
ONESHOTS
FINISH THE BEAT
TILL DEATH DO US PART
BUT IM A CHEERLEADER!
i think i read “but im a cheerleader” at least 3 times now
would i ever be open to writing a pt 2?
yes actually! its gonna b a peek into the future…i got inspired again :)
miss u baby
I miss u bby but im back
but i’m a cheerleader!
wk: 4.7 k
authors note: I promised oneshots, did i not? just fluff really, and pretend cheer flyers can b tall okay
warnings: none
synopsis: in which Paige is a flyer who has it all and wants none of it, and Azzi is a base who has none of it and wants it all
“We need to hit zero this weekend,” CD said, her voice leaving no room for mistake. “I don’t want us falling short. That means clean lines, perfect smiles, going full out. From the top, let’s go.”
Paige sighed and wiped the sweat from her brow, taking one last drink from her water bottle before tossing it on top of her bag. Everyone got into their places, waiting for the music to start before they started moving.
As soon as their competition music flooded the gym through the speakers, everyone began moving and doing what they were supposed to. Paige heard everyone clap in unison when they were supposed to, mentally clapping the team on the back.
When Paige moved into position for the first stunt, she was still hanging in there. A wide, picturesque smile was on her face, her posture perfect. Her bases launched her into the air, holding her there while she did her part of the routine. Then, one by one, the flyers flipped in the air and dropped into their bases arms.
When it was Paige’s turn, she held her breath. Something she knew she wasn’t supposed to do, but was a habit she couldn’t break anyways.
By the last stunt, Paige was hanging by a loose thread. Her abdomen was sore and her legs were achy. Her cheeks hurt from smiling too much and she was ready for a nap. Her base launched her into the air, and then she climbed the legs on two other flyers. This was the only part that made her nervous. She trusted her bases to hold her in the air and catch her if she fell. But the shaky arms of the two flyers made her feel like she would fall at any moment.
Thankfully, when the music ended and everyone hit their final pose, Paige was still suspended in the air and CD looked pleased.
“Good job ladies,” she yelled, making everyone dismantle their human pyramid. When Paige’s toes hit the mat, CD continued. “That was good. Great even, but not perfect. Go home and rest ladies. Practice tomorrow at 10. Captains, break us down.”
Paige, along with the two other captains, Nika and Aaliyah, stepped forward.
“Good work today guys,” Aaliyah said. “With more practice we’re gonna take first next month.”
“Bring it in guys,” Nika said. The team stepped forward, piling their hands in the middle. Paige internally cringed at the sweaty arms she felt, but said nothing.
“Huskies on three!”
Paige threw sweats over her spandex and tugged on a hoodie, exchanging her cheer shoes for Uggs. She made sure she had everything in her bag before zipping it up and turning to leave.
“Paige, hey,” Paige looked up at the sound of her name, her eyes meeting the figure of Azzi Fudd.
Azzi and Paige had been on the same All-Star cheer team since Paige was 7. Azzi was a year younger, always lingering. For any normal person, that would be enough to make them best friends.
And they were, for a little bit. As kids they thought they ruled the world. Always carpooling to practice and competitions, whispering to each other in the dark at sleepovers.
Around the time Paige started high school, she started drifting from Azzi. At first, the younger girl resisted. She reached out and never left Paige alone. But after many arguments and mean comments from both parties, Azzi gave up. Now, they were merely teammates that sometimes rode home together since they lived on the same street.
“Can you give me a ride home?” Paige nodded.
“I’ll be in the car.” Azzi nodded, turning away from the blonde without another word. Paige watched as Azzi greeted another teammate and engaged in what looked to be a colorful conversation. With a sigh, Paige pushed open the gym doors and braved the cold.
Starting the car, Paige let her thoughts run. If only she found as much joy in cheer as she used to. If only she found as much joy in it as Azzi Fudd.
When the door opened and Azzi climbed in, Paige connected her phone and played music to fill the silence. Paige pulled out of the parking lot and started the drive to Azzi’s house.
“Are you excited?” Azzi asked. Paige looked at her quizzically for a moment.
“What?”
“Are you excited?” Azzi repeated. “It’s your last formal competition. Well, before college.” Azzi shrugged at the end of her sentence, waiting for a reply.
“I…” Paige went to reply, but the words died in her throat.
She hated this part. She hated telling people that even though she was the most decorated athlete on her team that she wasn’t going to cheer in college. She had turned down and ignored every offer she received.
“What?” Azzi asked. “Have you not committed? Sorry, I haven’t been keeping up with all the senior things this season. I really need to be better at that.”
“No, it's fine. I just, I’m not cheering in college…”
Paige could feel the thick tension that filled the air. Paige had all the skill and talent any cheerleader could want, but she chose not to cheer in college? Azzi didn’t understand.
“You’re not?” Azzi scoffed. “That's…wow. I- nevermind.” Azzi sighed instead of finishing her sentence. But for reasons she hated herself for, Paige wanted to know what Azzi thought.
“No, go ahead.”
“No,” Azzi shook her head. “It’s stupid.” Azzi mumbled the last part, fumbling with the zipper on her jacket.
“I just told you I’m not cheering in college. Tell me.”
Azzi sighed and was quiet for a moment before she spoke up. “I just…I don’t get it. You’re team captain on the best cheer team in Minnesota, and one of the best teams in the country. You’ve got more awards and medals than I have pairs of socks, Paige. Everyone wants you. Girls on the team would kill to be in your position, you know that right?”
The emotion in Azzi’s voice wasn’t lost on the blonde. Azzi said girls would kill to be in her spot, but Paige knew the hidden meaning. I would kill to be in your spot.
“Anyone else on the team can be where I am if they work hard enough,” Paige said. “I’m not some walking miracle. I work hard.”
Azzi scoffed. “I’ve been working just as hard as you, and I’m nowhere near where you were this time last year.” Azzi regretted the honesty the moment the words left her mouth, but for some reason she didn’t regret. She wanted honesty from Paige, and she figured this would be the way to get it.
“You’re doing just fine, Az.” Paige said, the old nickname slipping out. Azzi ignored her, the words turning her blood cold.
“Thats the point, Paige. I’m doing fine. Not great, not amazing. I’m not in the running to be captain next year, which means I’m not in the running to be recruited by the best schools. All I’ve got are offers from unknown DII schools.”
“Hey,” Paige chided, a little bite in her voice. “Offers are still offers.”
“Not on this team! Offers matter, Paige.” Azzi let out a frustrated groan, throwing her head back against the head rest. “Fuck! I mean, look at the team. Serah is a way better base than I am, and Caroline is the best flyer on the team, behind you of course.”
“You’re plenty good, Azzi. Stop comparing yourself.”
“I’m not!” Azzi exclaimed.
“You are!” Paige yelled back, just as loud.
“I need you to see how fucking insane you are for turning down all the offers you got. You are so lucky and you’re just throwing it all away, for what?” Azzi cried. Paige let out a frustrated breath. She turned onto their street and parked in front of Azzi’s house.
“Because I don’t want to!” Paige exclaimed. “Shouldn’t that be enough?”
“Well it’s not, Paige!”
“Well it’s the truth!” Paige screamed, her eyes welling with tears. “Fuck, Azzi. You should know better than anyone that I only cheered for my mom. It was like she was living her dream through that.”
“You liked cheering as a kid?” Azzi said, confused. “You didn’t do it just for your mom.”
“Didn’t I?” Paige sighed and rubbed a hand down her face, whipping at her tears. “I wasn’t a dumb kid. After my parents divorce, I only saw my mom when I had anything related to cheer going on. She drove me to comps and practice and did my hair. Anything else, she was gone. My dad was the one cheering for me whenever I did anything else.
My mom only stuck around so long because of cheer. When she left, I questioned whether I really wanted to cheer anymore. But I was only 14, I just wanted my mom to love me. I figured if I continued cheering, she would keep in contact.”
“Did she?” Azzi asked, her voice soft. Paige let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head.
“For a bit. It was enough, for a while. But I didn’t find joy in cheering anymore, and clearly my mom didn’t either.”
“So why wait until now?”
“I’ve been cheering since I was four, Az,” Paige pointed out. “I don’t know how to live my life here without it.”
“So, what? You go to college somewhere else and quit cheering just like that?” Azzi asked.
“Yeah,” Paige croaked out. “I…what else am I supposed to do?”
They sat in silence for a moment, Azzi glancing at Paige’s tear streaked cheeks. Azzi sighed and grabbed her bag from the back seat, opening her door.
“Come inside.”
Paige glanced up, confused. “What?”
“Come inside.”
“Azzi I-”
“I’m not arguing Paige. Come inside. Have dinner, and then you can leave. I know your dad and brother are already asleep. Eating alone after this conversation would make me spiral, so…” Azzi awkwardly trailed off.
“Just dinner?” Paige asked. Azzi nodded her head. Paige sat in the driver's seat for a moment, rethinking her life choices, before she turned her car off and got out. Azzi smiled to herself, before turning and leading the way.
Inside, Azzi’s house was just as warm and lively as she remembered it. There was a pile of shoes by the door, showing how lived in the house was. The entry way was decorated in family pictures and hanging coats. Azzi slipped her shoes off, and Paige did the same before following Azzi into the living room.
“I’m home!” Azzi yelled.
“Hey! I’m right here.” Azzi looked sheepishly at her dad, whom she was standing right behind. Azzi reached down and kissed the side of his head.
“Sorry Dad. Where’s mom?”
“In the kitchen. She’s making spaghetti. Go get washed up, okay?” Tim Fudd waved his daughter off, mentally taking note of the blonde standing awkwardly behind his daughter.
Azzi turned around and gestured for Paige to follow her. They went upstairs and walked through Azzi’s room to her own bathroom.
“Sorry about the mess,” Azzi said, picking up clothes off the floor. She turned on the bathroom light and started washing her hands. “Didn’t plan on inviting anyone over.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t know your whole family would be here.”
Azzi just shrugged, stepping out of the bathroom to let Paige wash her hands. Once the blonde was done, they both made their way back downstairs and into the dining room. It was already lively with chatter and forks hitting plates.
“Paige!” Katie Fudd exclaimed from her seat at the head of the table. “Nice to see you, have a seat.” Paige waved in greeting, before sliding into the empty chair next to Azzi.
“Thank you. This looks good.” Katie brushed Paige off with a wave of her hand.
“It’s just spaghetti.”
Dinner passed in a flurry of good food, easy conversation, and mild sibling arguments. Jon and Jose mainly argued with each other, but they knew how to push their older sisters buttons.
After chiding from both Tim and Katie, things simmered down back into the calm they were before. Paige was asked questions that weren’t too intrusive, preventing Paige from feeling uncomfortable. It reminded her why she spent so much time here as a kid; the Fudd household brought comfort to anyone who stepped through the door.
After dinner, everyone helped clear the table and clean the kitchen. Azzi washed dishes while Page dried, and Katie moved around them while wiping down the counter tops. Tim helped Jon and Jose get ready for bed. Well, he monitored them to make sure they didn’t start any more fights.
After the kitchen was cleaned, Katie said goodnight to both girls before she disappeared into her room. Suddenly it was just Paige and Azzi in the quiet of the house.
“C’mon, I wanna show you something.” Azzi softly said into the darkness. Paige followed the younger girl without complaint, up the stairs and back into Azzzi’s room.
Paige took a tentative seat on Azzi’s bed while the curly haired girl dug in her closet. A few seconds later, she emerged with an old shoebox. Azzi sat on the bed, placing the box between the two girls.
“Look,” Azzi said, opening it and pulling out a Polaroid. Instantly, Paige remembered taking the picture all those years ago.
“I remember this,” Paige said, taking the picture from Azzi’s hand, their fingertips grazing each other. “This was so long ago.”
“I was nine,” Azzi said. “You were competing on two teams but you were still perfect. You never complained. And I wanted to be just like you,” Azzi admitted with a blush. “Part of me still does. I know it was probably weird how upset I got about your life, but this is why. That little girl is still inside of me. And I couldn’t help but think if you can’t do it, how can I?”
“Oh Azzi,” Paige said, dropping the picture. She moved the shoebox and scooted closer to Azzi, wrapping her arms around the girl. “You love to cheer, you’ll be perfect.”
“How do you know that?” Azzi whispered. Paige sighed, before pulling back.
“You have something that I don’t have, you know that? Having all the awards and offers means nothing if you don’t love what you do. Everyday at practice you give it your all and you love it. And then you laugh and joke around, and you love that even more.”
“So?” Azzi said, sniffling.
“So, that means the love and passion you have will carry you far. Further than I could even dream of, Azzi.” Paige said.
Azzi was quiet for a moment, before she let out a water laugh. “Who knew we both had something the other wanted.”
Paige laughed, shaking her head and wiping her own eyes. “Who knew. I’ve always known you’ve been good. Better than me.”
“No,” Azzi scoffed. “You don’t have to hype me up just because I was crying.”
“I’m not!” Paige defended. “You have drive and determination. And you’re super fucking strong.”
Azzi snorted. “I’ve spent my entire cheer career launching you into the air.”
“And you’re damn good at it,” Paige winked. “You’ll be just fine, Az.”
Azzi was quiet for a moment, analyzing Paige’s features. “We’ll be just fine, P.”
“You totally wanna kiss her!” KK exclaimed. Paige looked around, panicked, before clamping a hand over the younger girl's mouth.
“Shut up! She’s in this class, Kamorea!”
“So?” Nika shrugged. “She’s not paying attention to us. Besides, KK is right.”
“No she is not!” Paige exclaimed. “I do not want to kiss her.”
“Boogs, you are a shit liar. You wanna kiss Azzi so bad.” KK said.
“Stop name dropping!” Paige said, before sighing.
“I think it would be cute.” Nika said.
“I…we can’t.” Paige said.
“Why not?” KK asked. “It’s obvious she likes you. I’m even willing to bet she used to like you when you guys were younger.”
“She did not.” Paige said, but the tips of her ears turned pink.
“She did!” KK exclaimed.
“No,” Nika said with a shake of her head. “You did.”
“No!” Paige practically squeaked. “I-didn’t-what-NO!”
“You so did,” Nika said with a smirk. “It’s okay, it’s so on brand for you.”
“You guys would be so cute!” KK exclaimed. “I would have two parents.”
“Mind you,” Paige said with a roll of her eyes. “You have a very loving family.”
“You’re not very loving,” KK grumbled. “Ask her out, it won’t hurt.”
“Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?” Nika asked with a shrug.
“She could laugh in my face and make me feel stupid?” Paige said. “There are a lot of worst case scenarios here.”
“Then you go off to college in a few months and forget about it,” Nika said. “But something tells me that won’t be happening.”
“Whatever. You guys are idiots.”
The team bus smelled like way too much hairspray and perfume, loud pre-game music was flowing through someone’s speaker, a million TikTok audios were going off at once, and Paige was overwhelmed. Being a team of 30 girls meant total chaos on competition days. Normally everyone gets ready in their hotel rooms with their roommates. But CD said they got “lucky” and didn’t have to be there until 4pm, which meant a team roadtrip.
This means everyone sharing a seat while trying to get ready, spandex and knee pads flying through the air, and hair gel getting spilled on seats. Paige was glad Nika was her seat buddy, someone she was friends with and someone who was calm.
“We’ll be there in 20!” CD yelled from the front of the bus. “I want uniforms on under our warm-ups and everyone’s makeup to be done!” There was lots of scrambling after CD’s words, but Paige stayed in place. All she needed was her eyeliner to be done, and Nika always did it for her.
Paige turned to grab Nika’s attention, only to find the sarcastic girl gone. In her place sat Azzi Fudd, looking slightly confused.
“Uhm,” Paige swallowed. “Hi?”
“Hi,” Azzi said. “Nika said you need help?”
“I-what?” Paige questioned. “No, I just need her to do my eyeliner.”
“Oh!” Azzi said, a smile on her face. “I’m a pro at eyeliner. Well, on other people.” Azzi held her hand out for Paige’s eyeliner. The blonde eyes her hand before reluctantly placing the pencil in her hand. “Close your eyes.”
Paige did so, and a few seconds later she felt Azzi’s soft breath on her cheeks. She resisted the urge to open her eyes and admire Azzi, thinking the other girl would assume she was creepy.
After a few minutes, Paige felt Azzi shift and move to her other eye.
“Okay,” Azzi said, pulling back. When Paige opened her eyes, Azzi was putting the cap back on the eyeliner. “What do you think?”
Paige pulled out her phone and opened the camera app, examining her eyeliner. It looked good, better than Nika’s even. Both wings were sharp and matching.
“It looks good,” Paige said, glancing at Azzi. Suddenly, she got an idea. “You remember that picture we took years ago?”
“The one I showed you last month?” Azzi asked with furrowed brows. Paige nodded her head, a sly smile on her face. “Yeah, why?”
“Come here,” Paige said, leaning into Azzi. Paige held her phone out, making sure they were both in frame before taking the picture. She took a few, just in case.
Paige pulled up the pictures, examining them. Paige and Azzi’s faces were pressed up against each other’s, both of them wearing wide grins. They were wearing full faces of makeup, the camera cutting off the matching bows that sat atop their heads.
“They look good,” Azzi said, looking at them over Paige’s shoulder.
“They do,” Paige said and bit her lip. She cleared her throat before turning her phone off. “I’ll send them to you?”
“Yeah,” Azzi nodded, before getting up. Even though the rush of the bus stressed Paige out, Azzi’s distinct coconut perfume left behind an ache Paige refused to name.
The stage lights were blinding when Paige ran onto it and took her place. She took a deep breath to settle her nerves and her beating heart. This is it, she thought. The last one.
Paige went all out. Making sure every flip, jump, and tumble was perfect. Hers abs ached and her cheeks hurt, but it was the type of pain she knew she would miss when this was over. When the music ended, and Paige was suspended in the air with her feet on two flyer’s knees, she felt alive. For the first time in years, she didn’t want to throw up after a routine.
That was how she knew it was her time.
“Fuck that was amazing!” Nika said, pulling Paige into a hug after they walked off stage. “If we didn’t hit, someone has it out for us.” Paige laughed, her grin wide and her bones tired.
When it was time for placement, the captains rounded the team up.
“Guys, we did that shit,” Nika said, ignoring CD’s side-eye for her language. “Every one of us worked for that, and no one can take that away from us.”
“No matter what happens, just know that we wouldn’t be here without our hard work. In my book, and probably CD’s, we hit zero and won.” Aaliyah added. Both Aaliyah and Nika looked at Paige, wanting her to add something.
“I don’t know what else to say,” Paige said with a laugh. “We all did amazing. I can feel that we won. A routine like that is deserving of a medal. Cross your fingers.”
So they piled onto stage with the other teams. They took their seats and started locking hands, hoping they went home with a gold medal.
“Hey,” Azzi said, nudging Paige with her knee. “You did amazing.”
Paige smiled, grabbing Azzi’s hand. “I knew if I fell my base would catch me.” Azzi scoffed and shook her head.
“In what universe would you fall?”
Paige caught the tail end of the announcer's sentence. She didn’t hear the start of his announcement, too caught up in the way Azzi’s teeth caught on her lip. One second she was imaging those lips on her own, the next she was being yanked up by her screaming teammates.
“Congratulations to the Huskies!”
Paige looked around, needing confirmation that they actually won. Nika caught Paige’s eye and rapidly nodded her head. If that wasn’t enough to go off of, then Nika’s misty eyes were more than enough.
“Oh my gosh!” Azzi said, turning and wrapping Paige in a hug. Quickly, as though she realized what she was doing, Azzi pulled back. “Sorry, I just-“
“It’s fine!” Paige said, her painted lips stretched wide into a grin. “We fucking won!” Paige pulled the younger girl back into a hug, jumping around and screaming much like the rest of the team.
When they finally calmed down, the rest of the teams were guided off the stage and the Huskies stayed. They lined up next to each other, hands interlocked. One by one, the event staff placed a gold medal around each girl's neck.
“Congratulations,” One of the judges said when they got to Paige. “You’re a star.”
“Thank you,” Paige replies before bowing her head, allowing the medal to be placed around her neck.
After the audience applauded the athletes, the cheerleaders left the stage in an excited flurry. They crowded back into the dressing room, and after a congratulatory speech from CD, everyone split off to do their own thing in the room. There were various TikTok’s being made, girls lining up to take pictures with their teammates and medals, people calling their parents, and shared excitement.
“Senior pic!” Nika yelled, pulling Paige close to her. Aaliyah was on her other side, already smiling. Paige never liked taking pictures after competitions, but this time she found herself grinning.
“This looks great,” Aaliyah said. “The bus is stopping on our way back. Be ready.”
Paige made her rounds, congratulating some of the younger girls. When she spotted Azzi, she was sitting on the floor looking at her phone, her medal hanging around her neck.
“Done with pictures?” Paige asked, sliding down the wall next to Azzi.
“Cheeks hurt,” Azzi said. “I saw you taking pictures. Pretty rare sight.”
“Yeah,” Paige chuckled. She was quiet before she shrugged. “I don’t know…it felt right. Like closure, kinda. Is that weird?”
“I don’t think so,” Azzi said. “I think it means you’re at peace. You seem very…relaxed.”
“Yeah right,” Paige scoffed. “My palms are sweaty and my heart is beating way too fast to be considered normal. This sucks.”
“Really?” Azzi asked, with a raised brow. “When did that start?”
“When we went on stage for placement. It’s like it finally set in that this was it for me.”
“Like…right around the moment we held hands?” Azzi said. Paige furrowed her brows at the younger girl's tone, but nodded nonetheless.
“It was a nerve-wracking time,” Paige said. “What’s your point?” Azzi stared at the blonde for a moment before shaking her head.
“Nothing. I’ll see you later?”
“Okay,” Paige said. “See you…”
The bus ride to the restaurant was just as chaotic as the dressing room. There were still a lot of squeals, tiktoks, and pictures. But after good food, the bus ride back home was quiet. The sun had set, basking the entire bus in darkness. Nika had seemingly found another seat mate, which meant Paige was left on her own.
She had given up on leaning her head against the window, instead letting her thoughts run wild. That was until she felt someone sit in the seat next to her. Paige glanced over, and was pleased to see it was Azzi.
“Hey,” Paige whispered. “Can’t sleep?”
“Caroline snores,” Azzi said. “You?”
“Not comfy enough. Nika ditched me.”
“…you wanna?” Azzi asked, gesturing to her shoulder.
“You sure?”
“Well, I was gonna ask for a ride home so…”
“Oh,” Paige said with a giggle. “I see how it is.” Despite their teasing, Paige dropped her head onto Azzi’s shoulder. Azzi’s head rested on top of Paige’s, and before they knew it they were both out.
Bus lights flickering on woke them up, giving them a rude awakening. The team shuffled off the bus looking groggy and disgruntled, remnants of sleep clear as day. Paige had to practically drag Azzi off the bus, something she didn’t mind.
Once in the car, Azzi was wide awake but didn’t speak, enjoying the quietness. Paige kept her focus on the road, but at every red light her eyes managed to find their way towards Azzi’s profile.
Paige pulled up to Azzi’s house, putting the car in park. Paige got out to help the other girl get her bags from the trunk.
“Hey,” Paige said. “Thank you.”
Azzi turned around with quizzical eyebrows. “For what?”
“For being you,” Paige shrugged. “I think you’re the reason why I’m so okay with being done with cheer.”
“Why?” Azzi asked, shifting on her feet. “I yelled at you for making your own decision, and then told you I looked up to you.”
“Yeah but, it made me feel better. Knowing I didn’t waste my years on something. I had an impact, as corny as it sounds.” Paige said.
“Don’t,” Azzi said. “You did the same for me. There’s more to life outside of cheer. You’re just brave enough to explore it.”
“I…just thank you,” Paige said. Azzi nodded, letting the silence of the night blanket them. “Can we…be friends again?”
“Just friends?” Azzi asked. Her bluntness stunned the blonde, her eyes going wide.
“I-uh…yeah?”
Azzi stared at her for a second before scoffing. “You’re so damn stupid.”
Azzi dropped her bag onto the floor, closing the space between her and Paige. She grabbed Paige by the collar, pulling until their lips were touching.
The kiss was hesitant at first, almost like neither of them were sure. But at the same time, it seemed to click for them. This was it. The kiss turned hungrier and messier, like they were starved of one another.
When they pulled back for air, they both shared a laugh. Leftover competition lipstick was smeared around their lips.
“You have a little something,” Paige said, gesturing vaguely at Azzi’s face. “Might wanna get that.”
“You get it,” Azzi said, leaning in for one last kiss. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah,” Paige said, letting her hands drop from Azzi’s waist. Azzi smiled, before picking up her bag and turning around. Paige stood there, in the dark, watching Azzi’s retreating figure.
paige
*one attachment
We look pretty good, right?
Bae u posted the most gut wrenching one shot and than disappeared 💔
hey guys :)
im back and im okay!!! i had a busy end to summer and school has been kicking my ass so far…senior year is not for the weak. i want to finish offline but probably wont bc i dont have time…for now it’ll probs b one shots. i hope thats okay w u guys 💜
till death do us part
wk: 3.7k
authors note: sorry :(
warnings: chronic illness, vomiting, doctors, death
synopsis: not everyone lasts forever.
If you asked both Paige and Azzi what they thought about their life, they would say they lived it to the fullest.
Both girls won an NCAA Championship during Paige’s senior year, and Azzi went on to win another one. Both girls won ROTY during their respective years, silencing anyone that had any sliver of doubt.
Paige was drafted to Dallas, and after her rookie contract was up, she managed to swing a trade to Golden State, playing alongside Azzi. That year, the Valkyries won their first franchise championship. They spent the next decade building a legacy there.
Their faces, along with their teammates from the first championship team, were painted on the wall of the training facility. Banners from all six wins over their careers hung from the rafters.
Azzi had spent her entire career, 15 years, playing in the purple jerseys. Paige spent 14 of her 18 seasons playing right next to Azzi.
During those years, they adopted a beautiful set of twins, raised them from birth. Their biological mother was just a teenager, not ready for the responsibilities that came with motherhood. She was alone, no family, and just wanted a good home for her babies. When she found Azzi and Paige, she knew they would take care of the twins.
And they did.
Lola was older by nine minutes, though you wouldn’t know it. It took eleven years for Paige and Azzi to tame her wild, unruly blonde curls. She was a wild child, always outside either playing in dirt or running around a court. She was put in sports the minute she could walk, her energy needing to be directed into something positive. Ultimately, she found comfort in volleyball, something both her moms supported. When she got accepted to Penn State, Paige and Azzi let Lola fall into their arms.
Andrew was the younger twin, though he acted wiser beyond his years. He was very level headed and quiet as a child. Never fussing or winning. It was something that made Paige and Azzi worry at first, before they grew to realize that was Andrew’s nature. Andrew didn’t care much for sports, not liking to be sweaty and gross. But he was his family’s biggest supporter. Always front row or courtside at games, his cheers of support the loudest he’ll ever be.
Paige and Azzi had a lot of help. They each missed part of the season to care for the twins before they were born. After that, they had immense amounts of help. Both their parents would visit often, helping clean the house or give the new mothers a break. Their siblings took their Aunt and Uncle roles very seriously, always volunteering to take the twins for the day.
Veteran teammates were there to help at first, until suddenly Paige and Azzi had been in the league so long they were the veterans.
They retired the same year, just in time to help the twins with college applications and be there for their senior year. Retirement was bittersweet, but it was something they both knew it was time for.
Azzi was the first to mention it. She no longer had a good or bad knee, both a little worse for wear. Her legs were sore more than they weren’t, and when she thought about retiring, she was content. That isn’t to say she wasn’t upset. She cried. She cried when she realized the thought, then called her parents and cried some more. She didn’t tell Paige for a few days, making sure she was really sure.
When she told Paige, she cried some more. Her wife reassured her it was okay, it had to end at some point. But that same night, all Paige could think about was retiring. She didn’t want to go back to playing without Azzi by her side. Who could catch her dimes for clutch corner threes?
Paige thought about pushing through, but when a pickup game with the newest class of rookies left her sore for days, she decided it was time, too.
Paige did the same thing Azzi did. Cried. Called her parents, then cried some more. She told Azzi and cried again. But they went to bed happy.
They told Lola and Andrew next, something that was bittersweet. Their kids were happy yet sad for their parents. It couldn’t be something so easy to give up.
Their jerseys were retired, hung in the rafters next to their championship banners. They cried together, then cried with their children.
Now years later, the house is quiet.
Lola and Andrew’s bedrooms sit untouched unless they come to visit. Andrew does often. He brings his wife and his newborn, Madison. Lola’s visits are far and few. She’s always busy, but she makes sure to call and send her love.
Azzi left to pick Andrew and his family up from the airport. Paige snuck out to the doctors. Recently, Paige has gotten sick. She assured Azzi she was fine, but her wife didn’t believe it. Azzi ushered her to the doctor.
When Azzi returns home with Andrew in tow, Paige greets them with a wide smile. Andrew notices how his mom’s movements are slower, like they’re causing her pain. He watches how her breathing is a little shallower, something that isn’t out of the ordinary for a regular person but is strange for an athlete.
After a wonderful dinner that Andrew’s wife, Estella, helped Azzi make, everyone turns in for the night. Madison is a quiet baby, much like Andrew was, and sleeps through the night already.
Paige can’t sleep, and she finds herself in the kitchen cradling a glass of water. At the sound of footsteps, Paige looks up. She expects Azzi, but sees Andrew instead. He doesn’t say anything, just watches as he gets a glass of water.
“You’re sick?” Andrew asks, whispering into the darkness. Paige doesn’t respond, not for a long time. If she does, it will be real. She can’t do that. Not to Azzi, Andrew or Lola, not even to herself. Regardless, she knows she can’t hide anything from Andrew. And he can keep secrets.
So Paige nods, tears welling in her eyes. “Yeah.”
The words are hoarsely whispered. Andrew doesn’t say anything, just pulls his mom into a tight hug. Despite Andrew being three inches taller, he notes how frail Paige feels. He can feel her ribs and her cheekbones digging into his skin. Paige has always been a little lanky, but never to this extent.
“Have you told Mom yet?” Paige just sniffed and shook her head against his shoulder. Andrew sighed, rubbing his hand up and down Paige’s back as she soaked his shirt with tears.
The next morning, Estella woke up early to feed Madison. Wondering where her husband went, she went looking around the house. She found Andrew sleeping sitting up on the couch, Paige’s head dropped on his shoulder and her body contorted in an uncomfortable looking position. Estella smiled, happy to see her husband still so close to his mom.
But then she frowned. She noticed the way Paige’s cheeks look like they had dried tears, how she looked a little more…frail than normal. But she kept quiet. She helped Azzi make breakfast, then handed Madison off to spend the day with her grandparents while she went out with Andrew.
They were at a cafe, enjoying walking around without a stroller or a baby strapped to one of their chests. Estella brought it up quietly, her tone laced with nothing but concern.
“Is your mom okay?” Estalla asked, practically whispering the words into her hot latte. “I saw you guys this morning. She looked…frail. I’ve always known her to be so lively, the change is concerning.”
Andrew thought back to how Paige hugged him extra tight last night, or how she didn’t joke with Estella as long. Paige loved Estella, saying she was the perfect balance to Andrew’s quietness. She was witty, sarcastic, and wicked smart, someone Paige got along well with. So Estella’s concerns were more than valid.
“She’s sick,” Andrew said at last, his body sagging at the admission. “Something to do with her Kidneys. I don’t know what exactly or how long, but I know it’s taking a toll on her.”
“Oh Andrew,” Estella said, her face softening. She had lost her own mother to Kidney failure when she was just 17. But the wound had long scabbed over. She had come to terms with the fact that her mom would never meet Madison or Andrew. But she couldn’t imagine Andrew’s pain. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Andrew said. “Everyone has to go at some point.”
“But she’s fairly young and very healthy.” Estella pointed out. “She’s not even 45.”
“I’m more worried about momma.” Azzi Fudd. Beautiful, caring, soft, Azzi Fudd. “This will wreck her. They’ve known each other since they were 14 and 15.”
At home, it was already wrecking Azzi. Paige hadn’t told her anything, which meant everything. As soon as Azzi step foot in the house, she knew it was something big.
But she didn’t press. She watched, observed, and kept notes on Paige. She noticed how frail she looked. Not in the “she’s always been skin and bones” type of way, but in the “she’s lost a lot of weight” type of way.
They were watching Madison, and Paige was on the floor with her while Azzi grabbed her bottle from the kitchen. She listened to Paige’s coos with a smile on her face, until she realized she no longer heard them. Instead, she heard violent coughing. Too loud and too heard to be Madison’s.
“Paige?” Azzi called out. When she got no response, Azzi left the bottle in the kitchen and ran to the living room. Paige was sitting on the floor, her back pressed against the couch. One hand was clutching her chest, the other covering her mouth. “Paige, are you okay?”
Azzi knelt next to her wife, setting a hand gently on her shoulder. After some time, Paige’s coughs died down. But when she pulled her hand away, it was spotted in blood.
Azzi didn’t scream. She didn’t gasp, she wasn’t shocked. She should have been, she thought she would be. But she wasn’t. Because deep down, she knew this was coming.
Paige looked up at her, tears welling in those beautiful blue eyes of hers. Azzi just pulled Paige into a bone crushing hug, holding on like if she let go Paige would disappear.
“Polycystic Kidney Disease,” The doctor said, her tone sorrowful. “That’s what’s causing your Kidney Failure.”
“What are our options?” Azzi asked. Paige was frozen, like time had stopped. Normally, it was the other way around. When Azzi had to finally get glasses or when she had to get her gall bladder removed, Paige was the one asking questions and being strong. Now it was time for Azzi to be strong while Paige fell apart.
“Not many,” The doctor said. “There’s always surgery, but with how many cysts Paige has it might do more harm than good.”
“So what? We just sit and wait for her to cough up enough blood that she drowns in it?” Azzi was mad. She was upset that Paige’s life was coming to an end, but she was more upset that she would be in pain. After ACL tears, concussions, broken fingers, and twisted ankles, Azzi wanted no more pain for her wife.
“I’m sorry Mrs. Fudd.”
“It’s Mrs. Bueckers-Fudd, thank you.” Azzi stood, dragging Paige with her. They would not be visiting this doctor again.
When they got home, Azzi ran Paige a bath. Something to sooth her. After that, Paige wanted to take a nap. Azzi had no problem with letting her blonde rest, she could tell she was exhausted.
When she heard Paige’s familiar soft snores, Azzi grabbed her laptop and got to work. She called Estella, who was a doctor, and asked her about Nephrologists in the area and which ones she recommended.
Two weeks later Paige and Azzi were back in another doctor’s office. This one felt less sterile. It was warmer, the lighting less harsh and more yellow than white.
“Bueckers-Fudd?” The nurse called. Paige stood, then grabbed Azzi’s hand to come with her.
The doctors room put Paige at ease. She wasn’t as antsy as before.
The door opened and in walked a kind-looking older man. He had a shiny bald head and wire frame glasses, but his skin was barely wrinkled. When he smiled, it showed off the small gap in his front teeth. For some reason, it made Paige relax.
“Good morning Mrs. Bueckers-Fudd,” He said, tone soft.
“Goodmorning,” Both Azzi and Paige replied, making all three in the room let out a soft laugh.
Dr. Wyatt asked Paige simple questions. She answered some, Azzi answered a couple. Then he asked Azzi some questions, questions Paige wouldn’t be able to. Things like have you noticed diet changes? or is she more tired than normal? and even has she had visible significant weight loss? All things Paige would have answered differently than Paige.
“We have a few options from here,” Dr. Wyatt said. “I’m going to put you on a transplant list. But your chances of getting a kidney are low. Until then, there are two main options.”
“Tell it to me straight doc,” Paige said.
“There’s always surgery. We can remove one kidney, leave you with one. But that would make things shorter. There’s medication. But it will only lessen the pain and stop more cysts from forming.”
“But it doesn’t do anything about the already formed cysts.” Azzi said, reading between the lines.
“Exactly.”
“So there’s no cure?” Azzi said, her heart breaking into a million little pieces.
“I’m afraid not,” Dr. Wyatt said. “But I can assure you it’s not nearly as painful to watch or endure as other internal failures may be. My wife had the same thing, passed away eight years ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” Azzi whispered.
“Don’t be. Life happens. We all have our time, hers just came early.”
Paige and Azzi left with lots of notes, and less questions than before. Diet improvements. Exercises. Therapist numbers. Anything they needed, Dr. Wyatt gave them.
Azzi teared up when Paige asked how long she had to live. Dr. Wyatt said he couldn’t say for sure. But he said to come in for weekly check ups. Sometime then he could give definite answers.
Paige almost preferred not knowing. She could live life to the fullest without worrying about a deadline.
Azzi hated it. She didn’t like not knowing. She felt like she would wake up one day next to Paige’s dead body. She wanted to know how much time Paige had left.
At first, Paige thought there would be a rift between her and Azzi because of her illness. But she should have known better. If intrusive fans and media, ACL’s tears, and raising a set of twins didn’t set them apart, why would this?
With the medicine, Paige honestly felt okay. She was a little more tired, and more prone to getting sick, but she felt okay. She didn’t feel drastically weaker or incapable of daily activities. And honestly, that was enough for her.
One thing Paige noticed was how much her illness had aged her. She prided herself on always looking a couple years younger than she was. She didn’t look older by any means, she simply looked like she was in her early forties.
“I got you a gift,” Azzi said one morning, from the ruffled blankets of their bed. She had a lazy smile on her face, admiring Paige’s half naked body walking towards her from the bathroom. Somehow, Azzi knew Paige was in her own head and saved her from spiraling. “I think you’re really gonna like it.”
“Really?” Paige said, crawling under the covers to lay next to Azzi, her cold hands poking Azzi’s side.
“Oh yeah.”
That’s how Paige ended up at the Spa, Lola, Lauren, and both of her mom’s and Azzi’s mom with her. She hadn’t seen Lola or Lauren in a while, Lola too busy with volleyball and Lauren traveling the world.
“How was Asia?” Paige asked Lauren.
“Beautiful. You should come with me next time I go. You and Az, you guys would like it.” Paige’s smile went tight lipped, but she agreed nonetheless. No one knew of her declining health.
Amy, Mo, and Katie had their suspicions, of course. They had seen Paige grow up, knew her tells and everything.
At lunch, everyone made a big deal when Paige ordered a salad. Paige rolled her eyes and ate with a pout.
“I’ve never seen you eat anything green,” Lola said. “Momma could never get you to eat greens.”
“I managed to get her to eat kale once,” Katie said, her voice proud.
“That doesn’t count,” Paige protested. “You and Az tricked me.”
The table was full of laughter and wide grins. Amy took note of Paige’s lack of a drink, especially because she didn’t drive here. Paige was never one to turn down a drink.
Despite the hidden concerns, everyone came back to the house where Azzi had a light dinner prepared.
“How was it?” Azzi asked, planting a kiss on Paige’s cheek.
“Amazing,” Paige whispered. “Just what I needed.”
“Hmm,” Azzi said. “It’s almost like…I know you!”
“After 20 years I would hope so.”
They all piled into the living room, watching Friends re-runs while they caught up. They talked about the guy Lauren ran into in India and Morocco. How Lauren broke up with her girlfriend and then her brother tried to slide into her DMs four days later.
Paige was content with it all. Surrounded by her favorite women in the world, who reminded her how string she truly was.
The happiness and bliss didn’t last long.
Four days later, Azzi woke to Paige dashing from the bed straight into their bathroom. Paige threw the blankets haphazardly off of her, the white sheets landing half on the floor.
“Paige?” Azzi croaked, her voice still raw from sleep. Azzi followed after her wife, the corners of her lips pulling into a sympathetic frown when she saw Paige heaving over the toilet. Paige hated throwing up.
Azzi knelt and held Paige’s hair back, patting her back as she emptied her stomach's contents into the toilet bowl.
“It’s okay,” Azzi said. “You’re going to be okay.”
Azzi helped Paige off the floor and back into bed, grabbing a glass of water and her medication.
“Can you hold me?” Paige asked, her voice quiet.
“Of course.”
That’s how Andrew found his mothers later that day when he came to pick them up for Paige’s appointment. They were fast asleep, hands intertwined like they’d find each other in every life.
He let a silent tear fall before waking them up for Paige’s appointment.
The car ride was silent, both Paige’s mind and body exhausted. It became harder for her to walk long distances without becoming out of breath. She had hot flashes more often, shedding layers of clothing in a panicked rush.
Azzi asked Dr. Wyatt how long Paige had left. But Paige had no interest in knowing, so she made Andrew help her to the ice cream parlor across the street.
“Two mint chocolate chip cones and one vanilla, please,” Paige said. “I’m surprised you take after me when it comes to ice cream.”
Andrew smiled, handing the worker a bill. “I’m not. We’re more alike than we seem.”
“Hm,” Paige hummed. “It seems so.”
Paige thought her wife finding out how long she had left to live would light a fire under her. Make her want to do more. Instead, Azzi was content to do things at Paige's pace. If Paige wanted to go on a weekend trip, they went. If she wanted to lay in bed all day, they cuddled the day away.
Azzi was very good at not giving anything away to Paige. The only hint she had that her time was coming was when Azzi invited their entire families over.
Drew showed up first, his arms wrapped around Paige in a bone crushing hug. Both of their parents showed up together, then Andrew followed by Lauren and Lola. Ryan came a little late, and Jon and Jose trailed behind him.
Azzi set the good China out, everyone squeezed onto the dining table for dinner. Despite the circumstances, conversation was lively. Dinner was followed by a very competitive Uno game, then a Phoenix V. Valkyries game as everyone calmed down and turned in for the night.
“Don’t let this dim your light,” Drew said. “You’re still the best sister ever. Doesn’t matter where you are.”
Paige blinked back tears while she hugged Drew, knowing it might be her last time.
Paige could feel it, when the day came. She didn’t say anything about it. She asked Azzi to take her by the Valkyries facility. She admired the mural, talked to staff, and gave a few words of wisdom to the rookies.
That afternoon, she hid away in the office and made phone calls. Check-ins with family. Just saying hi. Azzi made her favorite for lunch. Paige got the feeling Azzi knew, too. Lunch had no greens and Shirley Temples were served to drink.
“Let’s take a nap?” Paige asked. Azzi smiled while chewing her chicken.
“Yeah, P,” Azzi said, her voice soft but knowing. “Whatever you want.”
Paige and Azzi cleaned the kitchen together, light music filling the silence. Paige’s bones ached, but she pushed through.
She waited for Azzi to climb into bed first, sliding under the covers next to her. The windows were open to let in the light breeze, making the room feel lighter than the weights in their chest.
Azzi had tears in her eyes, but she willed them not to fall.
“I love you, Az,” Paige said, her hand squeezing Azzi’s. “So much. Don’t ever forget that, okay? You’re everything to me, all I need in life.”
“Never,” Azzi whispered. “I’ll never forget you.”
Paige smiled, her eyes dropping shut. She rested with a smile on her face. Azzi’s fingers stilled over her wrist, feeling Paige’s heart beat.
Only after a few minutes when she could feel it no longer, did Azzi let the tears fall.
They were lucky that they found each other when they were 14 and 15.
But they were damned that they were taken from each other so early.
“I need you,” Azzi whispered into the dark, after Paige’s eyes had closed and her breath evened out.
chapter siiiiiixxxxxx soon please🥹
progress is slow but its there
OFFLINE: CHAPTER FIVE
Summary: a 2000's pazzi au where azzi just won a championship and paige is a ceo of a nonprofit and runs downtown LA nightlife
warnings: none
wk: 3k
Nika nudged Paige under the table with her foot, pulling the blonde’s focus back from wherever her mind was. When Nika had looked over just a few minutes into their meeting with the 5 Nights Staff, Paige’s eyes were far away and her mouth was curved into the slightest smirk. Paige prided herself on being one of the best employees, always listening to what her staff and crew needed and providing whatever they asked for.
However, now Paige was zoned out, not even a pen to take notes with in her hand. When Paige felt a tap on her ankle, Paige’s eyes snapped towards her blonde best friend. Nika didn’t say anything, just sent Paige a warning look that screamed “pay attention”. When Paige let out a deep sigh and sent a slight nod Nika’s way, Nika’s look changed slightly. Her lips curved into a small smile, letting Paige know she was caught.
Paige rolled her eyes, deciding to finally pay attention to the presentation 5 Nights day shift manager, Ice Brady, was giving. Paige also prided herself on being close with almost all of her employees, and Ice Brady was one of them. Paige and Ice actually met during their later years of college, and managed to run into each other one day a few years later while Ice was looking for a job. Despite Ice not having business management experience, Paige offered her the position. She had full trust in Ice.
And Ice didn’t disappoint. She went right to work, letting Paige know things she could improve on. Pretty much everything she suggested has helped 5 Nights Improve in one way or another.
When the meeting was over, Paige slid into Nika’s passenger’s seat, throwing her work bag in the back seat right next to Nika’s. Nika pulled on her sunglasses and pulled out of the parking spot while Paige pulled her phone out of her pocket. Seeing a text from her younger brother Drew, Paige read over it before showing Nika.
“Drew wants to come over for dinner tonight. Said he wants to catch up. You down?” Nika turned to Paige with an agape look.
“Little Drewski actually wants to hang out with us?” Nika asked, her mouth wide and face teasing. Paige scoffed but smiled, texting Drew back to let him know he could come over. Paige set her phone down in the cup holder next to Nika’s, enjoying the breeze in her hair.
Nika slowed to a stop at the red light and glanced over at Paige who was admiring her nails. Nika smirked to herself, watching as a light flushed over Paige's cheeks. “I like your nails,” Nika said. “Cute design. How’s you come up with it?”
Nika wasn’t stupid. Cam had obviously called her and they had a little debrief, making bets on whether or not Azzi was actually going to take Paige to the nail salon. Obviously Azzi had followed through, so Nika now owed Cam five bucks. Nika just liked messing with Paige. They really did act like twin sisters, it almost scared each other sometimes.
“Uhm…” Paige stammered out, glancing at Nika. Paige caught sight of Nika’s barely concealed smirk and gawked at the brunette. “You already know! Why are you asking questions you already know the answer to?”
Nika snickered to herself, briefly tearing her eyes from the road to glance at Paige. “You should know by now I love messing with you,” Nika said. “Are you going to ask Azzi out?”
Paige let out something that resembled a squeak, looking at Nika with wide eyes. “What!”
“Ask Azzi out,” Nika said with a “duh” tone. When Paige stared at Nika like she had grown three heads, she let out a sigh. “Look, we all know you’re head over heels for her. I don’t blame you. Azzi is the kinda girl that could ruin you with a smile on her face, and you wouldn’t know what else to say besides thank you.”
“Azzi wouldn’t ruin me,” Paige scoffed, slumping back in her seat. Nika smirked, making a right turn instead of heading straight.
“No, she wouldn’t,” Nika agreed. “You’d ruin yourself.”
“What?”
“You would bend over backwards for Azzi. And I only have good thoughts about her, but I know nothing about her. She could use you willing to do anything for her for…not so great things.” Nika explained.
Paige sat with Nika’s words for a few moments, before shaking her head. “Azzi wouldn’t do that.” Nika glanced at Paige, reading her expression.
“Okay,” Nika said, pulling up outside of Azzi’s apartment building. “I believe you. Now go ask her out.”
“What?” Paige gawked, looking at the apartment building like it offended her. “What the hell Nika? I can’t just…show up.”
“Sure you can,” Nika shrugged, unlocking the car doors. “Azzi won’t turn you down. You’re too pretty for that.”
Nika reached across Paige’s lap to open the door, shoving the blonde by her shoulder. “You can’t be serious,” Paige said. “What if she’s not home?”
“Correct me if I'm wrong, but your apartment building is a block away.” Paige shut the car door behind her, standing outside the car and glaring at Nika. Paige didn’t even have it in her to say anything, just hugged her bag to her chest, turned and stomped towards the doors.
“Make cute babies!” Nika shouted from her car, waving her hand in the air before driving off. Paige huffed, muttering to herself about her ridiculous best friend her entire way up to Azzi’s door.
Once in front of the blue painted door, Paige took a deep breath before knocking. The knock echoed, but nothing happened. Paige didn’t hear a dog barking or the sound of footsteps towards the door.
Frowning, Paige knocked again. Her nerves were gone and she was now determined to at least lay eyes on the basketball star. When she was met with silence once again, Paige started to get impatient.
“Azzi,” Paige loudly whispered, her face pressed against the door. “Azzi open the door, please. I just wanna see you.”
Paige stepped away from the door, looking at it like it offended her by keeping Azzi away from her. Paige knocked again, then stepped back closer to the door. “Azzi Fudd,” Paige said in a sing-song voice. “I just wanna wanna talk pleaseeee.”
Down the hall, Azzi rounded the corner, Stewie on a leash. Azzi spotted Paige in front of her door, her hand on the wood and her forehead pressed against it like the door stole something personal from her. Azzi paused, then lifted her hand to cover her mouth and stifle her laugh. It was even harder to do so when Azzi heard what Paige was saying.
“Azzi pleaseeeee. Let me in! Let me innnnn. I just wanna ask you a question, pleaseeee.” Paige let out a groan, hanging her head.
“Ask me what?” Azzi asked, Stewie’s leash in her hand. Paige jumped, startled, and turned to Azzi with wide eyes. Paige looked like she had seen a ghost.
“Azzi!” Paige said, her voice an octave higher than normal. “What are you doing here?”
Azzi chuckled, pulling her keys out of her pocket to open her apartment door. “I live here? Besides, it sounds like you were expecting me to be here.” Azzi threw Paige a teasing look over her shoulder, but gestured with her head for the blonde to follow her.
“I uhm…you just…yeah.” Paige stuttered, her eyes wandering and landing anywhere but Azzi’s face. Azzi just chuckled, dropping to her knees to take off Stewie’s harness and leash. Azzi stood up, looking at Paige with a questioning glance.
“What did you want to ask me?”
“Okay,” Paige said, clearing her throat. “Here goes nothing. And keep in mind — you can say no.”
Azzi nodded, her eyebrows slightly raised in amusement. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Okay. So, I was thinking like maybe you…and me, could maybe…grab dinner? Like a date.” When Azzi didn’t say anything, Paige kept rambling. “Or it doesn’t have to be dinner. It could be a movie, or we could go to the beach. Or if you want to totally turn me down that's fine too. I would be a little hurt but I wouldn’t start…crying or anything. Unless you totally lose it, then I might.”
“Paige,” Azzi softly said, interrupting Paige’s rambling.
“Just like let me down gently, If you could. I’m a big girl, I can take it—”
“Paige!” Azzi said, louder than before.
“Yes, yeah that’s me.” Azzi softly laughed, endeared by Paige’s nervous rambling and fidgeting.
“I would love to go out with you.”
“Really?” Paige squeaked out before clearing her throat. “I mean yeah, yeah cool.”
“Smooth Bueckers, real smooth.” Azzi teased. Paige’s lips curled into a small grin, genuine and real.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven?”
“And don’t be late,” Azzi said, walking Paige to the door. Paige scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“I’m never late,” Paige assured. “Always on time.”
“We’ll see.”
+++
Paige was late.
“Paige is literally never late,” Cameron had said while helping Azzi get ready. “She’s like…superstitious about being late. She hates it.”
“So she’ll be here at 7 sharp?” Azzi had questioned while running her hands through her curls.
“Probably five minutes earlier,” Cam shrugged. “Which means I need to get out of here soon.”
Azzi and Cam shared a laugh, Azzi asking Cam which outfit to wear. “The jean skirt, it makes your ass look great.”
Cam had left at 6:50, claiming Paige would be here any second. So Azzi sat on the couch to put her heels on, listening to the clock above the TV clock.
At 6:55, Azzi checked her phone to answer her texts. Time passed by without her even noticing. She didn’t start getting nervous until 6:59.
Maybe Paige will just be on time, Azzi thought. But when 7:10 came around and there was no blonde girl at her door, Azzi started to pace.
At 7:15 she called Paige’s cell, but there was no answer. Stewie glanced at her from her spot on her dog bed, seemingly judging her owner.
Azzi let out a sigh of relief at 7:19 when she finally heard a knock on her door. Azzi grabbed her phone and purse, pulling the front door open with a huff.
“I thought you said you were never late—”Azzi started, but quickly halted her words when her eyes landed on the blonde. Paige was using the wall to hold herself up, the bouquet of flowers loosely held in her hand, looking like it was going to tip over. So did Paige, if Azzi was honest.
Paige was dressed in black cargos and a black crop top with a dark green jacket over top, but her figure was much more slouched than normal. Azzi did a quick once-over of Paige’s face and frowned. The tip of her nose was red, she kept sniffing, her eyes were droopy and she looked tired, and her face was bare of any makeup. Not to mention her slick back bun was not very slicked back.
“Are you okay?” Azzi asked. Paige stuffily inhaled through her very obviously clogged nose before answering.
“I’m fine.”
Paige was not fine.
Drew had failed to mention that he was just sick. Just sick as in he could breath through one nostril. So when he showed up at Paige’s door slightly loopy, Nika left right away.
“Sorry Drewski,” Nika said, kissing the top of his head then stepping away, glancing at him cautiously. “I’m going on a trip in two days. Can’t afford to get sick.”
“I’m not sick!” Drew argued. Nika just rolled her eyes and left, shouting a goodbye over her shoulder. Paige just let Drew in, ignoring every time he would blow his nose or cough a little too loud.
So it was no surprise to anyone but Paige when she woke up the next morning with a sore throat and a runny nose. At first, she thought she was able to power through. A workout session followed by the sauna and a hot shower cleared her nose right up, and some cough drops eased the ache in her throat.
But then Paige decided to lay down for a nap. It seemed like a good idea, until she woke up with a pounding headache, an even sorer throat, a clogged and runny nose, and enough sweat on her back to fill a water bottle.
Determined to make her date, Paige took another shower, sluggishly got dressed, dragged herself to the store to pick out flowers, and almost passed out on the elevator ride up Azzi’s apartment. 19 minutes late.
“Paige, you look like you would fall over if the wall wasn’t there,” Azzi said. “You sure you okay?”
“I made it here, didn’t I?” Paige said, a loud sniff at the end.
“19 minutes late,” Azzi said with a deadpan expression. When Paige started to nervously shuffle her feet, Azzi let out a sigh, stepping back into her apartment. “Come in.”
“What?”
“Come inside,” Azzi repeated. “We can just…relax. Watch a movie, eat takeout, something chill.”
“So…you’re canceling our date?” Paige asked, her expression painful looking. Azzi’s look softened, quickly shaking her head.
“No, this will be the date. We’re just gonna stay in, do something more lowkey. A raincheck on dinner.”
“Shame,” Paige said, pouting like a toddler. “You look delectable.” Azzi laughed, pulling Paige by her wrist into her apartment.
“Okay Mr. Steal Yo Girl. You can’t eveb breath out if your nose and you’re still flirting.”
“I’m nothing if not persistent,” Paige proudly said with a smirk before launching into a coughing fit.
Azzi guided Paige to her room, digging through her closet for clothes that Paige could wear. Initially, Azzi presented the blonde with a t-shirt and shorts, but quickly switched them for a hoodie and sweats when Paige started shivering.
Azzi made Paige look at the various take-out menus she kept in her kitchen while she changed. Paige gave Azzi her top three options, and Azzi picked one to order from.
While they waited for their food, Azzi gave Paige medicine to take and they picked out a movie. It took a few minutes, both girls seemingly having very different movie tastes.
“Im not watching a rom-com!” Paige said, her arms crossed.
“Well I’m not watching a horror movie,” Azzi sassed. “So pick something else.”
They ended up picking 10 Things I Hate About You.
“It’s my favorite,” Azzi said. “Criminal that you haven’t seen it, really.” After Azzi said that, she should've known that’s what they would watch.
Paige greeted the delivery man at the front door, handing him a 20. He looked mildly disturbed by her appearance, but she had a movie date to get back to so she really didn’t care. Paige brought the Chinese food to the living room, setting it on the table while Azzi turned on the TV.
By the time Patrick found Kat at the music store, Chinese containers were emptied and pushed to the side. When the scene of Kat dancing at the party came on, both girls had made their way to the couch, laid out in different directions.
When the movie came to an end, Paige was laid between Azzi’s legs, her head on the younger girl's chest while wrapped in a blanket. When the end credits rolled, Paige sniffled a couple times.
Azzi paused, looking down at the blonde whose face was buried in the blanket all the way up to her nose.
“Wait,” Azzi said. “Are you crying?”
“No,” Paige said, voice muffled.
“You so are!” Azzi said, her stomach moving Paige’s head with the vibrations from her laughter. “Aw, it’s okay,” Azzi said with a giggle, her hand lowering to rub at Paige’s temple.
“No,” Paige protested. “It’s just so…poetic.” Paige said. Azzi smiled, although Paige couldn’t see. She didn’t say anything in response, just let her hands wander. She took out Paige’s many hair ties, loosening the tension on Paige’s head. The blonde immediately let out a deep sigh, burrowing further into Azzi.
After a few minutes of Azzi’s hands combing through Paige’s hair, Azzi heard Paige’s breathing start to slow down, and her own eyes start to flutter shut.
“C’mon,” Azzi said, tapping Paige’s shoulder. “The couch isn’t super comfy.” Paige grumbled but followed Azzi’s lead, the blanket thrown over her shoulder like a cape.
This time, Azzi led Paige past the guest room and to the end of the hallway where her own room was. Stewie padded behind then quietly, more than ready to turn in for the night.
“I’m hot,” Paige said, dropping the blanket and shedding her hoodie and sweats. She was left in a sports bra and boy shorts that sculpted her body perfectly. Azzi unashamedly stared at Paige’s toned abs. Paige wasted no time in climbing in bed, her blonde hair sprawled across the pillows.
Azzi slid in beside the blonde, their legs instantly tangling with one another.
“Talk to me,” Paige mumbled into Azzi’s shoulder.
“About what?”
“Anything.”
So Azzi talked. She told Paige about basketball, mostly. What it means to her, to her family. When she fell in love with it and why. How her mind goes quiet on the court.
Paige replied with muffled words and short snorts after stories about Azzi’s sparks teammates. Paige asks about her childhood, and Azzi tells her.
Why her standards are so high because her parents showcased unconditional love her entire childhood. How much she values family — not just blood.
Paige sleepily rambles through what she does with Nika. How it's a wild switch from her day job, helping children and families, to her night job, pouring shots at the bar. She tells Azzi how much she loves both jobs despite how tired she is at the end of the day. She gets up at 5:30 and doesn’t sleep until one.
After those words, Azzi shushes the blonde. “You need sleep, Paige. You’re gonna overwork yourself.”
“A lot of people need me,” Paige replied. “I can’t let them down.”
Azzi was quiet, processing Paige’s words. It both broke her heart and made her proud all at once.
“I need you,” Azzi whispered into the dark, after Paige’s eyes had closed and her breath evened out.
finish the beat was sooo gooddd. you need to write more sub p!!!!
lucky for u sub p is my fav
need chapter 5 soon!
i was on a trip that went to shit...working on it now!
Finish The Beat
summary: paige and her rapper gf
wk: 2.9k
author's note: a lil one shot until the next chap of offline comes out. also i do believe in sub!paige supremacy. also i gave this character a name because i hate using y/n
Paige loved looking in the stands at the ends of games, scanning the crowd for her person. She would always catch your eye right after the sound of the buzzer lit up the arena. No matter win or loss, you never failed to send Paige a knowing smirk, making her face heat up under the arena lights.
The only thing Paige loved more than playing basketball and seeing you in the stands was listening to her music. Especially when you would let Paige come to the studio with you and listen to your songs before anyone else could hear them. Paige loved it when you would come to her for help, asking which beat sounded better.
But most of all, Paige loved how she could just be supportive. Paige loved showing up to red carpets, the Grammy's especially, in matching outfits and cheering extra loud in the crowd when you would win an award. Everytime Paige would post an instagram story to a song, it would always be yours. If it wasn't an add, any tiktoks Paige posted were to your songs.
And you lived for it. It made you feel claimed, in a way. You would show up to games wearing Bueckers on your back, and Paige would show up to award shows hanging on your arm like eye candy.
Currently, Paige was lounging on the couch in your studio, scrolling on her phone. She was shifting every few minutes, and you could tell she was getting restless. Honestly, you were surprised it took her this long to get restless. You figured her ADHD would make her a little more shifty earlier.
It was a Saturday, and it was a rare off day for Paige. You had to come into the studio for a few hours to finalize a beat and your lyrics before sending it off to the artist you were working with so they could rap over the beat. This song was going to be a a part of an album coming out in a few months, and it was the last song that needed to be finished.
This would be your fourth album, and unlike your last album which was more of a fast paced rap album that was played in a lot of clubs, this album was going to be a slower R&B album. Something a little more sensual.
When you told Paige you had to come in today, she insisted on coming in. She grabbed her iPad and slid on her shoes, waiting for you by the door. You sighed but grabbed the keys, lacing your hand with Paige's free one as you walked to the car.
Paige sighed and threw her phone down on the couch, staring at you in hopes you would notice her. You heard her sigh, but you were focused on the beat. It was missing something. It felt too plain. And you figured until Paige got up and started annoying you, she was fine on her own.
Paige stood up, her socked feet silently padding across the studio floor. Paige had spent so much time in here, it was like a second home. You felt Paige tap your shoulder, and you slid off your headphones and looked at her.
"Yeah?" You said, watching her face to see her reaction. Her long blonde hair was down, slightly ruly from her shifting positions on the couch. She was wearing a pair of old UConn sweats that sat low on her hips, and a grey zip up over a cropped white tank top.
"I'm bored," Paige said, pushing your shoulder so you turned in your chair. You let her turn you, and placed your hands on your hips as you looked up at her. "I want attention."
You chuckled, shaking your head. "You always want attention."
"Cam," Paige said with a pout. "Don't be mean." You but your lip to hold back a smile at Paige's words. When you didn't respond, Paige made a home on your spread legs. Your jeans was a stark contrast to her soft sweats, and she ran her hands up your bare arms, courtesy of your muscle tank, before landing behind your neck.
"What do you need baby?" You said. Paige's eyes left your eyes in favor of your lips, her hands playing with the short hairs at the back of your neck. Your hands rested lightly on her lower back, not giving in to what you knew she really wanted. Paige didn't respond, just hummed. "I don't know what that means, use your words."
Paige groaned, but leaned in and placed her lips on yours. The kiss started off soft, almost a lazy kiss. But it quickly turned into something more urgent, Paige kissing like a woman on a mission. After a minute, you pulled back to catch your breath, glancing at Paige. Her kiss swollen lips and her flushed cheeks.
"I have to finish this P," You said, nodding to the sound board. "The beat is missing something."
"And I'm missing you," Paige said, lightly grinding her hips on your lap. "Please?" You sighed, internally debating. On one hand, you really did need to finish this beat. On the other, your girlfriend was really hot. But when Paige leaned in and grazed her teeth along the shell of your ear, you already had made up your mind.
You stood up to your full height, your arm wrapped around Paige's waist so you could carry her. Paige let out a soft giggle, knowing she was going to get what she wanted. You set Paige down on the bare counter next to the sound board, her feet dangling over the floor and her back pressed against the cool glass of the recording booth.
With one hand on Paige's waist and the other tangled in her blonde hair, you leaned to kiss Paige. She let out a low moan when you bit her lip, and you used her open mouth to slide your tongue in.
You pulled back, pulling your hand from Paige's waist and sliding it down to the top of her sweats. Your thumb rubbed the skin above the waistband, dipping under and coming back up, never giving Paige what she truly wanted.
After a few minutes, Paige was fed up. She was wet and she was horny. "Please," Paige said, practically whining. "Want you so bad Cam. Need you."
You pulled back to look at Paige, and let out a groan at the sight before you. She already looked fucked out, and you had barely touched her. Her pupils were dilated, her eyes looking almost black. Her lips were swollen and her face was red, her hair messy from your hand tangling in it.
"Please?"
"Anything for you, P."
You dropped to your knees, sliding your hands up the length of Paige's legs. When you reached the top of them, you hooked two fingers under them and pulled them down. Paige lifted her hips to help you slide them off, and you gasped at the sight before you.
"No underwear?" You asked, kissing your teeth. "What did I tell you about that Paige?" Paige looked down at you between her legs, and forgot how to talk. When Paige didn't respond, you slapped her thigh, eliciting a high pitched gasp out of the blonde.
"What did I say about not wearing any underwear?"
"Not too..." Paige said. You hummed in satisfaction, spreading her legs wider. You stared at her pretty pink pussy, slick dripping from her entrance.
"You're so wet for me," You whispered, your breath grazing Paige's dripping cunt. Paige's thigh twitched, and you grinned at the hold you had over her.
"All for you, all yours," Paige said, her words already slurring. Her jacket was hanging off one shoulder, and her fingers were twitched like she wanted to reach out and touch. You decided to have mercy on Paige, leaning in to finally give her what she wanted.
Paige let out a combination of a moan and a sigh when she felt your tongue lick a strip all the way from her entrance to her clit, tasting her juices.
"Fuck P, taste so good." You pressed a kiss on her clit, pulling back to look at her face. She looked even more fucked out than a minute ago. You went in to continue, you're tongue licking and flicking her sensitive bud.
"Please," Paige said. "I wanna cum. I needa cum so bad..."
"I gotchu P," You said, the thumb of you're free hand rubbing soothing circles on her thigh. Paige let out a high pitched moan when your tongue dipped lower and teased her entrance before slipping inside.
"Fuck Cam, gonna cum, I can't-"
"Let go P, I gotchu."
Paige let out a long moan when she finally let go, her thighs twitching and her abs tensing. You didn't let up, your mouth licking up her juices. Paige let out a string of moans when the pleasure became too much. Paige lazily pushed you away, but she knew she didn't want you to stop.
However, you pulled back causing Paige to let out a whine.
"Why'd you stop?" Paige pouted, her chest rapidly rising and falling and her legs still spread open. You smiled up at her, face slick with her juices.
"I know what the beat is missing." Paige looked down at you confused, but her eyes still followed your figure as you stood up, wiping your mouth and chin with the back of your hand. Paige bit her lip to prevent herself from letting out a moan at the sight of your ringed fingers.
You walked over to the sound board, pressing the "Start Record" button. You walked back over to Paige, grabbing her hand and guiding her into the recording booth. You already knew the studio door was locked, so you knew no one else was going to come in.
"What are we doing?' Paige asked, but followed as your hands guided her by her waist to lean her back against the wall. You grabbed the mic and pushed it closer to the wall.
"What's that for?" Paige asked. You stepped closer to her, allowing Paige to wrap her arms around her neck. You distracted Paige with a kiss while one hand trailed down to between her legs, the other sliding her jacket off her shoulder.
You finger ghosted over her clit, making her lean back from the kiss and let out a breathy gasp. Both hands slid up to her chest, pushing her tank top over her chest. You were met with the sight of her perky nipples.
"No bra?" You asked. "You're so easy for me."
"Fuck," Paige moaned and leaned her head against the wall. One hand went up to cup her tit before pinching her nipple between your fingers, making her gasp and her back arch.
"That," You whispered, your teeth grazing Paige's ear. "Is to record something for the beat."
"What..." Paige trailed off, too consumed in the pleasure. You're hand dropped back to her cunt, groaning when you felt her own slick dripping down her legs. Paige moaned, forgetting what she was going to say. Paige finally gathered her words and pulled her head up, staring at you. "What are you recording?"
You smirked, plunging two fingers into Paige's dripping heat right as you answered. "You cumming for me."
Paige let out the filthiest moan you've ever heard, her head hitting the wall and her back arching, chasing your touch. Your hand words fast, pumping inside Paige quickly, fingers curling to find that spongy spot inside of her that made her see stars.
"Fuck-" Paige cut herself off with a moan. She could feel the cool metals of your silver rings hitting her cunt everytime you pumped your fingers. Paige's moans kept coming, loud and unfiltered. They only got louder when your fingers pumped in and out of her faster, the squelching of her sopping cunt getting louder.
"Fuck," You said, your breath ghosting Paige's neck. You trailed kissing down her throat and onto her chest, taking one nipple into your mouth. Paige's fingers tangled in your hair, one hand grabbing onto the wall searching for something to hold on to. "So wet for me, P. All for me, yeah?"
Paige didn't answer. Her thighs were shaking and her mouth was letting out a constant stream of pornographic moans.
"I-" Paige said, all the warning she gave before she came again. You didn't give Paige a chance to recover, ripping your fingers from her cunt and dropping to your knees again. "Cam...I can't-"
"You can baby," You said, placing a sloppy kiss onto her cunt. "Just gonna clean you up, m'kay?" Paige lazily nodded. You smirked, pleased with the sight of her puffy clit and dripping cunt.
You're tongue swiped between Paige's folds, licking her of everything she had. Paige placed her hands on your shoulders, pushing you away.
"It's too much Cam," Paige said, and you could hear her voice. She was crying. You smirked against her cunt, continuing to eat her out. Despite her words, you knew she wanted more. She spread her legs a little wider, and her moans were still loud, if not louder.
"Just cleaning you up," You said.
"I'm gonna cum..."
"Don't," You said, pulling back from her cunt. Paige let out a sob, her chest heaving and her legs shaking.
"Cam," Paige sobbed. "Please. I need it."
"Thought it was too much?" You asked, and Paige quickly shook her head.
"No, no. 's never too much. You're so good to me, please. Need it, need it so bad. Need you to fuck me so bad Cam-" Paige continued to babble, her words slurred and brain too fucked out.
You leaned back in, sliding your tongue into Paige's wet heat again, before pulling it out to flick her clit. Paige practically screamed when you inserted a finger, pumping in and out. Paige quickly came for a third time, pushing you away.
"Don't stop, need it so bad. You fuck me so good Cam, swear. Only you get me this wet-"
Paige cut herself off again with a high pitched moan. You inserted a second finger, pumping in and out quickly. Slick was dripping down Paige's thighs and on your face. You started to pull away, and Paige's hands changed from pushing you to pulling you in.
"Fuck me, need to cum so bad."
"So greedy," You hummed against her cunt, fingers still pumping. "Such an easy slut, all for me?"
"Fuck!" Paige shouted, holding your head against her cunt. "Your slut, all for you. Only you fuck me like this, fuck-"
Paige came with a loud scream, loud enough that you were thankful the booth was soundproof. You pulled away with a smirk, standing up. Your hands held Paige's waist, holding her up so she didn't fold in on herself.
"Thanks for helping finish the beat."
Three months later and your album had dropped. It came out at the beginning of summer, and a few songs blew up. The entirety of the album did well, but three songs in particular did well.
The first song blew up because of it's catchy lyrics, becoming a trend on tiktok. The second song was more of an hip-hop r&b song that was used in a lot of sports teams promo videos and in a few clubs.
But the third song went viral. You've seen it all over tiktok, people lip-syncing to the lyrics and hot couples posting each other. Paige would always show you any tiktoks she saw, blushing if the part of the song with her moaning in the background was used.
You never explicitly told anyone who was in the background moaning, but fans could make very educated guests. A lot of people just thought it was a generic female moan sound from your sound board. You didn't care, the public could say what they wanted. And besides, people knowing you recording Paige moaning for a song probably wasn't the best thing for her image.
Paige seemed to think otherwise.
"Cam," Paige said, throwing herself onto the couch. She had just come home from practice, her hair still damp at the ends. "We have a problem."
You set your phone down, glancing at Paige with a raised brow. "What's going on?"
"People think you used some generic sound machine thingy for the moans in your song." You blankly stared at Paige, trying to understand what she was getting at. Paige groaned, rolling to sit up. "Why would you do that when you have a hot girlfriend at home?"
"Paige," You chuckled. "I don't care what they're saying about background noises."
"I do."
Which is how you ended up breaking the internet.
Paige insisted on letting people know that the moans they heard were in fact hers. Despite the public image you two had going on, Paige wanted the music video to be a complete 180 from that. The public saw Paige, a blonde masc basketball star, dating you, a slightly shorter artist with tattoos and rings. For fans and media, it was hard to tell who was the more dominant one, since you guys both carried yourself with oozing confidence.
The music video gave it all away.
You let Paige come up with everything, making it just how she wanted. The music video ended up being a little more sensual than normal. It was all black and white, with flashes of tanned and tattooed hands exploring pale skin.
Paige's face wasn't shown in the video, not once. But if the tugging down of Nike pro's to reveal pale skin or long, calloused fingers digging their nails into Cam's back didn't give it away, then the sight of Cam staring at the camera before tangling her hair in blonde hair might have.
OFFLINE: CHAPTER 4
Summary: a 2000's pazzi au where azzi just won a championship and paige is a ceo of a nonprofit and runs downtown LA nightlife
warnings: none
wk: 4.5 k
author's note: in honor of another pazzi hard launch, chapter 4!
When Paige finally unlocked the door to her apartment, she emptied her hands onto the side table by the door and let out a sigh of relief. Despite the much needed rest she got at Azzi’s apartment, she felt as if she were ready to crawl back into bed. Normally when Paige misses an early morning workout and PT session, she is quick to reach out to her trainer and reschedule it. Paige didn’t feel that urgency at the moment. The long, undisturbed sleep she got at Azzi’s was something Paige now realized she needed. She didn’t wake up on edge or her brain already trying to work out several different things.
Instead, she was able to focus on one thing. Going back to sleep. And feeding her dogs.
The dim lighting was a warm welcome compared to the bright sun outside. Paige kicked off her shoes and tossed her clothes onto the floor, deciding they were a problem for her future self. Paige walked into the kitchen, opening the cabinet that held her dog’s food container. When she shifted the container and her dogs didn’t come running at the sound of the moving kibble, Paige froze and furrowed her brows.
“Moore!” Paige shouted, standing up. “Copper? You guys hungry?” Paige was met with the sound of slow footsteps padding on the floor, the clicking nails of two dogs close behind. Paige internally rolled her eyes, trying to predict who could be in her apartment. Only three people had access to her apartment, including a key. Those three people were Cam, Nika, and her step brother, Carter.
Paige was unsurprised when she saw Nika appear in the doorway, Copper and Moore crowding her legs. Copper’s mouth was open, almost like the golden retriever was grinning. Moore, the old German Shepherd with grey hairs looked like he had just woken up.
“Long night?” Nika asked, crossing her arms. Paige groaned before she reached back under the counter to put the dog food container away, closing it with her foot.
“You feed them already?” Paige asked. When Nika nodded, Paige sent her a soft smile in return. Paige walked past Nika out of the kitchen, turning off the overhead lights. Paige bypassed the living room and went straight to her room. Nika, not to Paige’s surprise, followed her. Which meant Moore and Copper also followed her.
Paige opened her bedroom door with a tired sigh, leaving it open for the crowd behind her. Paige shed her hoodie and socks, revealing Azzi’s shirt she borrowed and her bare feet. Paige didn’t waste a second climbing under her covers, pulling them up to her chest and laying on her side. Moore climbed right onto her bed, settling behind her knees where her legs bent. Copper opted to lay on the dog bed in the corner, plopping down with a loud huff like he worked a full shift already. Nika, like Moore, climbed right onto Paige’s bed. The Croatian sat up against the head board, crossing her legs at the ankle. Nika was silent for a moment, allowing Paige’s to start fluttering shut. But just when Paige thought she was going to doze off, Nika spoke up.
“How was Cam’s?” Paige’s eyes snapped open, and she glared up at Nika.
“S’was fine.” Paige grumbled, her voice muffled by the comforter. Nika hummed in acknowledgement before speaking up again.
“You don’t normally stay over,” Nika mused, picking at her nails. “Must have had some fun.” Paige rolled her eyes, hating how she could hear Nika’s teasing.
“Cam kept the wine coming.” Paige kept her answer short, hoping Nika would get the memo and leave her alone. But Paige knew her best friend better than that, which was why she was unsurprised but mildly irritated when Nika opened her mouth again.
“You never drink wine unless you’re trying to impress someone. And you never skip the gym and PT in the mornings.” When Paige made no move to respond, Nika shifted onto her side, her head propped up on her hand. “Wanna tell me how last night really was?”
Paige let out a loud groan, rolling over to her other side. Moore moved away with a huff, looking every bit like a grumpy old man. Nika didn’t say anything, so Paige finally let herself close her eyes. Until Nika draped herself over her torso, causing Paige to let out a huff.
“What Nika?” Paige breathed out.
“Answer my question.” Paige tucked her face under the covers and let out a loud, and long, groan, hoping Nika would catch onto her frustration. When Nika made no efforts to move, Paige let out another groan, decided to just tell Nika where she was.’’
“Fine. Cam invited Azzi over, and I stayed the night. Now get off of me.” Nika grinned, and moved off of Paige. But she didn’t stop talking.
“You spent the night?” Nika gasped out. “Did you guys share a bed? Cuddle? Feed each other pancakes?” Nika said, her voice rising in pitch at each hypothetical situation. Paige sat up, glaring at Nika, mirroring her stance of sitting against the headboard.
‘No, we did neither of those things. She gave me pj’s to borrow, said goodnight, and I slept in the guest room.”
“Hm, I knew you didn’t own Soffee shorts,” Nika grinned. Paige let out a breathy laugh, before she slouched down. She let her head fall onto Nika’s shoulder, her teeth gnawing at her bottom lip.
“I got her actual number,” Paige admitted after a lapse in conversation. Nika grinned, but kept silent to let Paige keep talking. “I think I really like her Niks. She’s not like everyone else.”
“What do you mean?” Nika softly asked. Paige was quiet, her thoughts running wild.
“I don’t know. She just…she’s not falling at my feet like everyone else. She’s not handsy or super bold. But she’s still confident. She knows one look at me and I’m the one at her feet.” Nika snorted, bringing her arm to wrap around Paige’s shoulder.
“Sounds like you got yourself a real woman.” Paige laughed at her remark, before going quiet again. Nika nudged her, urging Paige to continue.
“She just…gosh Nika. She’s perfect. She smells like fresh fruit and warm vanilla, and her eye contact is insane. She has different smiles, y’know? There’s a professional one, then a more relaxed one, and then my favorite. Her grin. She shows off all her bunny teeth, it’s so cute. But she’s got this smirk, too. It’s different…makes me feel things.”
“Oh my gosh,” Nika said, her tone disbelieving. “Does Paige Madison have a crush?’ Paige groaned, pulling the covers over her head. Paige mumbled something, and Nika leaned closer, having not heard the girl.
“What was that?” Nika asked, amusement dripping from her voice.
“I said maybe…”
“No,” Nika dragged out. “You mean yes. I have never, ever, heard you talk about someone like this. You’re so infatuated with her.”
“I am not infatuated,” Paige said, tugging the blanket from over her head. Her blonde hair was all toussled, and she had a pout on her face, trying to be menacing. Instead, she just looked like a grumpy toddler. The sight made Nika grin.
“Paigey has a crush! Paigey has a crush!” Nika sang. Paige didn’t even deny it, she just shook her head. Finally, Nika wore herself out, collapsing onto the bed next to Paige. Paige slouched down, dropping her head onto her pillow. Paige turned her head to Nika, lifting her hand from under the cover.
“Promise you won’t tell?” Nika rolled onto her stomach, propping her head on her hand.
“Paige, your secret is safe with me. Besides, who would I tell? KK?” Nika and Paige shared a fit of giggles, Paige’s face turning red and tears gathering in Nika’s eyes. When the giggles subsided, Nika reached her hand out, intertwining her hand with Paige’s. “Promise.”
Paige grinned, before pulling her hand back. “Nap?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
+++
Azzi sat in the quiet of the sauna, sweat dripping down her face and her chest. Her best friend, and neighbour, sat across from her. Caroline’s dark hair was tied up and her skin was clear, making her and Azzi look like a model duo together.
“Should I buy a house?” Azzi asked. Caroline peeked one eye open, looking at Azzi with a smirk. Caroline decided to keep her mouth shut, letting Azzi explain what she wanted to. “I just- I’m getting kind of old, right?”
“Azzi,” Caroline scoffed. “We’re both 26.”
“Almost 27,” Azzi pointed out. “26 feels young and reckless. 27 feels like I need to get my life together.” Caroline hummed, but kept her eyes closed and head leaned against the wall.
“So what is buying a house going to do?” At Azzi’s silence, Caroline continued. “What happens if you get traded?” Azzi scoffed, shifting on the wooden bench.
“Please, the Sparks would be out of their minds if they traded me.”
“I thought you were humble.” Caroline mumbled, causing Azzi to chuckle and swing her towel at Caroline. Only then did Caroline move, a wide grin spreading onto her face.
“I am!” Azzi laughed. “I just keep it real.”
“Okay,” Caroline said, turning to mirror Azzi across from her. “Keep it real. Why do you want to buy a house?” Azzi gnawed on her bottom lip, her eyes wandering in thought. Caroline remained silent, allowing Azzi to really gather her thoughts.
This was one of the reasons why Caroline and Azzi were such good friends. Contrary to the tabloids perspective on Azzi, quiet and composed, she was actually quite loud and tended to overthink. Caroline balanced Azzi out perfectly. Caroline was actually quiet, and allowed Azzi to mull over her decisions and help her decide on anything she needed help with. But she did it in the perfect way. She never made Azzi feel pressured or rushed, and Azzi never regretted any decision Caroline had assistance in helping make.
“I know I’m not ready to settle down with a family,” Azzi started, picking at her nails. “But I feel like I want to settle. I’m tired of coming home from practices and games to an empty apartment. I want a home.” Caroline eyed Azzi with a knowing look, her brow slightly raised.
“You want someone that feels like home.” Caroline gently corrected. Azzi looked at Caroline questioningly, her face displaying multiple levels of confusion. Caroline let out a deep sigh, trying to gather her words. “It’s not the apartment part you hate. You just hate how it’s empty. Cold. You want someone that feels like home. That makes it so that no matter where you are, you feel like home.”
Azzi groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Why are you always right?”
“Psychology major,” Caroline smirked. “Am I right or am I right?”
“I don’t wanna talk about it.” Azzi grumbled, making Caroline smirk.
“Okay, we don’t have to,” Azzi let out a sigh of relief. But it came too soon. “What we can talk about is who that hot blonde was that left your apartment this morning.” Azzi snapped her head up, her eyes wide and expression mortified.
“What?”
“I was checking the mail when I saw this blonde leaving your apartment,” Caroline explained, a lazy shrug accompanying her words. “She’s cute. She's yours?”
“She’s not mine, Caro. I don’t claim people.”
“I bet she’d let you.” Caroline said with a smirk, making Azzi flush. Caroline noticed however, Azzi’s cheeks weren’t pigmented out of embarrassment, rather as if she had been caught. Caroline studied Azzi’s fleeting eyes and barely there smirk. “Wait a second,” Caroline said, leaning closer to Azzi. “Oh my gosh! You like her!”
“Shh!” Azzi said, pressing her hand to Caroline’s mouth. “She could hear!”
Caroline pulled Azzi’s hand away, her mouth wide. “Bitch! We’re at your apartment gym, she’s not hearing anything.” Azzi slumped back against the bench, her head shaking back and forth. “Oh my gosh, Azzi Fudd has a crush.”
“No I don’t!” Azzi defended, but her wide grin made it hard to believe her.
“Is it really such a bad thing?” Caroline teased. Her grin turned softer now, Caroline going back to listening instead of teasing. “Why do you like her?”
“She’s just…gosh, she’s amazing,” Azzi grinned down at her lap, images of Paige’s flushed cheeks and nervous smiles playing over in her head. “I don’t have to chase her. I’ve been waiting for someone to come along who sees my worth.”
“Someone who doesn’t treat you like a piece of shit.” Caroline grumbled, making Azzi chuckle.
“Yeah, that. I can tell she gets so nervous around me, it’s cute. I make her flustered. But I know she would do anything for me. I told her to call me before she even had my number. She still managed to show up at the parade with flowers for me.” Azzi grinned, remembering the wilted flowers still on display in her apartment.
“She sounds great,” Caroline softly said. “And it sounds like she really likes you.”
“Gosh, I hope she does.”
Caroline grinned, enjoying seeing Azzi get that glint in her eye talking about someone. And Caroline had never met Paige, but she knew just from the way Azzi talked about her that she was all in for Azzi already. Caroline would just have to do some light background digging, but other than that she was all for it.
After a few more conversation topics were exchanged, Azzi and Caroline decided to wrap it up. Azzi offered for Caroline to shower in her bathroom, but the taller one declined, claiming she had something waiting for her at home. They walked down the hall together, Caroline stopping four doors before Azzi’s. Caroline pulled Azzi in for a hug before she disappeared into her apartment.
Azzi unlocked her apartment door, making a quick dash to her bathroom. Azzi showered and washed her hair, decided to let them air dry because she was too lazy to do her whale routine. She had a feeling her future self would hate her, but that wasn’t a present Azzi issue.
Azzi threw on some yoga pants and a t-shirt, before slipping out of her room and slipping her feet into sandals. Azzi scooped up Stewie, tucking him under her arm. Azzi grabbed her apartment keys and her phone, leaving her apartment. Azzi took the few steps to the next door, not even knocking before barging into Cam’s apartment.
Azzi was greeted by the sound of Spice Girls coming from deeper in the apartment. Azzi kicked her flip flops off and lowered Stewie to the ground, letting him roam free. Azzi walked into the living space, smiling at Ben in greeting who was watching TV.
Azzi walked down the hallway all the way to the end, until she could hear groans of frustration and the sound of Baby Spice’s voice. Azzi opened Cam’s bedroom door, surprised when she saw clothes spilling out of the older girls' walk-in closet. Azzi carefully stepped over a pair of boots and several going out tops before peeking her head into the closet.
Right away, a pair of bell-bottom jeans came flying at Azzi’s head, and she had to dodge them before she got smacked in the face. “Jeez, try not to take a girl out, will ya?”
Cam whirled around, a startled look on her face. Once her eyes locked on Azzi’s, Cam’s grin grew before she started laughing.
“Hey Az! When did you get here?”
“Right before you chucked those jeans behind you,” Azzi said, leaning against the doorframe. “What are you doing?”
“Cleaning out my closet,” Cam said like it explained everything. Which it didn’t. Upon Azzi’s still confused look, Cam continued speaking while turning back to a rack of clothes. “After every season I like to get rid of some pieces. Tunnel fits I won’t wear again, timely pieces that might not make a comeback.”
“Ah, to make space for next season.” Cam threw a grin at Azzi over her shoulder.
“Exactly!” Azzi chuckled before kicking off the wall, venturing back into Cam’s bedroom and taking a seat at her vanity chair.
Azzi busied herself with the half complete crossword in the newspaper from a few days ago. A few minutes later, and several filled in words later, the sound of the Spice Girls halted, and Cam emerged from her closet. She dropped a large pile of clothes onto the floor by the door, grabbing the other pieces she flung out of the closet and adding them to the pile. Cam stood back with a huff, and Azzi watched from across the room as she made the decision to deal with the clothes later.
Azzi chuckled to herself when Cam sat on the floor facing Azzi, her back against the side of her bed.
“So,” Cam huffed, crossing her legs. “Plans for the day?”
“Nothing much. I have a shoot in a few days. Colleen cleared my schedule for me, I wanted to keep it lighter.” Cam nodded, agreeing with Azzi’s reasoning. “What about you?”
“Pretty much the same,” Cam shrugged. “Just a few New Balance stuff until Unrivaled. Are you doing it this year?” Azzi hummed, rubbing her hands on her thighs as she thought.
“I think so.”
“Really?” Cam grinned. When Azzi nodded, Cam pumped her fist in the air. “I hope we’re on the same team.”
“Absolutely not,” Azzi sassed. “Roses for life.”
Cam scoffed, shaking her head like Azzi lost her mind. “You’re crazy. Owls are better. Hooty Hoo!” Azzi busted out laughing, shaking her head at Cam’s owl noises.
“Please never do that again.”
When the laughter died down, Azzi and Cam sat back in their seats, more relaxed than before. Cam showed off her nails to Azzi, a beautiful yet classic french tip that matched Cam’s vibe.
“Have you gotten your first off-season manicure yet?” Cam asked while uncrossing her legs, preventing them from falling asleep. Azzi shook her head.
“I need to schedule one.”
“Oh my gosh!” Cam said, standing up. “I have a great idea.” Azzi raised a singular brow, not believing Cam in the slightest that whatever she was about to say was a good idea.
“What?” Azzi asked, already over whatever Cam was about to say.
“Okay,” Cam said, pacing the room like she was formulating a master plan. “When you get your manicure, take Paige with you.” Azzi remained silent, waiting for Cam to explain herself. When Cam just stared at her with a grin, Azzi sighed to herself.
“Why?”
“Beacue?” Cam said, like it was obvious. “Paige never gets her nails done, but it’s the only thing that stops her from biting them,” Azzi grimaced to herself, she hated nail biters. “She doesn’t go because she can never pick a color, can’t keep up with the appointments, whatever excuses she makes. But she doesn’t listen to me.”
“Are you saying she’ll listen to me?” Azzi asked, her face skeptical.
“Duh,” Cam said, sitting on the side of her bed. “You could tell that girl to jump and she’d ask how high.” Azzi scoffed, crossing her arms. “Plus, I know you have a soft spot for her.”
“No you don’t.” Azzi said, but Cam was already raising her brows up and down like she knew something top secret.
“Yeah you do. Caroline told me she saw a ‘cute, tall blondie’ leaving your apartment this morning. Her words, not mine,” Cam held her hands up in surrender when Azzi shot her a death glare. “Azzi, you don’t even let me stay over.”
“I like my space clean,” Azzi defended with a shrug. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Paige is anything but clean,” Cam snorted. “Just think about it, please. I’m honestly tired of seeing her red and slightly scabby nailbeds.” Cam shivered like just imagining the sight made her scared. Azzi rolled her eyes, but was silently mulling over the thought. Cam already knew that Azzi would take Paige, just like she already knew Paige would say yes.
+++
Twenty-four hours later, Paige was perched on the edge of her couch, her flip phone and the sticky note with Azzi’s number staring at her from their spot on the coffee table. Moore and Copper were laying down on the other side of the table, silently judging Paige for her turmoil. Paige let out a deep sigh, rubbing her hands through the roots of her hair.
“What do you think Moore?” Paige asked. The old German Shepherd perked his ears up and stared at the blonde. “Yeah, I should just call her.”
Despite her words, Paige remained still on the couch. Copper let out a long whine, almost as if he was sick of Paige’s lack of courage. Paige side eyed Copper, before deciding she was not going to let her dog pressure her. Just to spite Copper, Paige slouched back against the couch. Copper looked at her before rolling over, deciding his owner was not worth his trouble.
Paige’s leg began to bounce, her nerves getting the best of her. On top of that, sitting still was not her specialty. Paige leaned forward and grabbed both her phone and the sticky note in one hand, deciding she would call Azzi. Paige began clicking buttons, typing in Azzi’s phone number.
Before Paige could hit “call”, there was a knock on her apartment door. Paige threw her head back and groaned and Copper got up and ran towards the door, barking. Moore just looked at her, not at all alarmed at the sound of the knock. Paige sighed and stood up, sticky note and open phone still grasped in her hand.
Paige’s bare feet padded to her front door, nudging Copper with her leg to get him to stop barking. Copper looked mildly offended, but left the foyer. Paige yanked open the door, expecting to see a delivery man of some sort or one of her mildly annoying neighbors.
Instead, Paige was surprised to see none other than Azzi Fudd standing outside her door. She was wearing hot-pink Juicy Couture pants, the same one she wore to Cam’s, but was wearing a cropped white tank this time, wedge sandals adorning her feet. Azzi had sunglasses perched atop her perfectly messy pile of curls, and her glossed lips were moving as she chewed a piece of gum. To top it all off, she had a large Coach purse hanging off the hitch of her elbow.
“Azzi?” Paige asked, her confusion displayed across her face. “What are you doing here? How did you even find my apartment number?” Azzi smirked, her glossed lips curving perfectly.
“I have my sources,” Azzi shrugged. “Put some shoes on, we’re going out.”
“Going where? It’s noon on Tuesday.”
“Exactly,” Azzi smirked. “Just come on.” Paige huffed, but turned to slide on her shoes and was out the door within seconds. Azzi walked through Paige’s building with searing confidence, something that made Paige warm inside.
Walking the streets of LA, Paige felt severely underdressed compared to Azzi. Paige was wearing a pair loose, grey wide-leg sweatpants, a plain white t-shirt adorning her torso. Her own face was bare, making her feel that Azzi’s light makeup stood out even more.
Surprisingly, Paige was content to follow Azzi the entire walk. Normally Paige was all over the place when she didn’t know what was going on. Her anxiety would rise and she would nag for answers. But with Azzi, Paige didn’t feel the need to do any of that. She was simply content to just be.
Paige was taken aback when Azzi stopped in front of a nail salon, her eyes going wide. Paige quickly shook her head, taking a few steps back.
“I don’t do nail shops.” Paige said, crossing her arms. Azzi mirrored her, popping her hip out.
“Why not?”
“I can never pick a color, they give you too many options. And should I do a solid color or a design? And what if the color I pick won’t go well with the season or my skin-” Paige ranted, and Azzi let her. When Paige was finally done ranting off excuses, Azzi turned around and opened the door, slipping inside. Speechless, Paige had no choice but to follow the shorter.
“Azzi, I told you-”
“And I thought I was indecisive,” Azzi muttered. “You don’t have to pick anything, okay? I’ll do it for you.” Paige glanced at Azzi, her brows drawing together.
“You’re going to pick for me?” Azzi hummed and nodded, examining all the different colors on the wall. “What if I don’t like what you pick?”
Azzi turned around to glance back at Paige, a smirk already on her features. “Oh trust me, you will.”
An hour and a half later Paige and Azzi are exiting the nail salon, matching grins on their faces. Azzi took her sunglasses off the top of her head and slid them over her eyes before leading Paige in the opposite direction they came from. Paige, content to follow Azzi, said nothing.
“So,” Azzi started. “You like them?” Paige glanced down at her hand, admiring the polish coating them.
“Hm, I guess.”
“You guess?” Azzi scoffed. “Don’t lie to me.” Paige sighed in annoyance, but the grin on her face was telling.
“I really do like them. Purple is my favorite color y’know?” Azzi turned to Paige, her raised brown peeking out from behind her sunglasses frame.
“Really?” Paige nodded, a soft smile on her face. “Huh. Lucky guess.” Paige didn’t say anything in return, her gaze steady on Azzi’s figure. Her eyes kept moving from Azzi’s perfect posture, to the way her hips perfectly swayed, to her nails that matched her own, and to the way her curls perfectly fell.
“Watch out!” Azzi said, placing her hand across Paige’s chest to stop her from walking. Paige tore her eyes away from Azzi, looking to see what Azzi was referring to.
“What?” Paige asked, her eyes swiftly returning to Azzi.
“Oh my gosh,” Azzi laughed. “You almost just ran into a pole! Were you not paying attention?” Paige’s cheeks flushed, her embarrassment apparent. Right in front of her was a pole, too close to her face for comfort.
“Oops,” Paige said, shrugging her shoulders. “I was looking at something more important.”
“Oh yeah?” Azzi asked, pulling Paige away from the pole so they could keep walking. “Like what?” Paige didn’t answer, not willing to admit she was admiring Azzi. Instead the blonde just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Despite Paige’s lack of admittance, Azzi already knew Paige’s answer. Azzi purposefully wore the Juicy pants that made her butt look good and her lip gloss that was extra glossy, just for Paige.
A few minutes later, Azzi and Paige arrived at their destination. Paige glanced at the sign and then into the shop, a grin overtaking her features.
“Froyo?” Azzi nodded with a grin, pulling the door open and letting Paige inside.
If Azzi considered this an unofficial first date, that was for her to know. She could disguise it as a good deed if need be, but the exchanged looks and shared grins spoke more than their words.
how many chapters is offline gonna have? 🫣
good question...it's gonna be slow burn that's all ik
we deserve chapter 4 after azzi posting the mirror pic of them
jaw dropped when i saw that. unfortunately i do have a job so progress is slow but im working on it babe
anyone follow lindsay and victoria benny on tiktok?? will be smth inspired by them in chapter 4
OFFLINE: CHAPTER 3
Summary: a 2000's pazzi au where azzi just won a championship and paige is a ceo of a nonprofit and runs downtown LA nightlife
warnings: drinking
wk: 4.6 k
Paige and Azzi had both been up for nearly three days straight. Both for very different reasons, however.
Kelsey had decided to spoil her teammates with a trip to the Bahamas, one last celebratory activity before the team went their separate ways for the offseason. The team had been running on straight adrenaline, alcohol, power naps, and excitement to keep them upright ever since their plane touched down on the island. Azzi was sure she had consumed more fruity cocktails and flavorful spritzers during the past three days than she had in her entire life.
The trip was only five days, and the entirety of the team finally crashed after day three. They spent the majority of day four catching up on much needed sleep, some players sleeping for almost eighteen hours. But by the time the sun rose on day five, the Sparks were back in town, hopping from beach bar to beach bar. Slides and strappy sandals confidently hit the pavement as they moved through the city. But by the time the trip was over, those same slides and sandals dragged along the tarmac accompanying sluggish movements.
Paige had been up for a very different reason.
She was on a mission to acquire Azzi’s phone number. When Paige sat down Wednesday night with a phone book in one hand and 5 Nights investigator on the line in the other, she figured it would take her a few hours to get Azzi’s number.
Not a few days.
After hour four, Paige caved and decided to call Cam and ask for her number. Paige spent the next two hours trying to get a hold of Cam, the line ringing but the blonde never picking up. After hour six, Paige almost decided to go to bed and pick back up tomorrow. But it was only midnight. When the sun rose at six am and Nika called Paige wondering where she was, Paige lied and said she was sick.
To be fair, Paige was sick. Sick because she couldn’t find Azzi’s number.
By hour fifteen, Paige had decided to call KK and get Azzi’s number from the younger girl. But alas, that phone call consisted of KK’s endless teasing and poking fun at the blonde. Paige listened to it for almost two hours before she hung up, numberless. By hour twenty, Paige’s coffee machine was starting to hate her. So much that it almost broke, taking the coffee grounds but not brewing a pot of coffee.
By the end of day three, Nika came knocking on her door. Nika had figured out that Paige was in fact not sick when the 5 Nights manager, Ice, needed an investigator for. Nika swore her head almost flew off of her body.
“Here,” Nika said, slapping a stick note onto Paige’s desk. “Call her. After that, take a shower and a nap. Meeting tomorrow at nine.”
Without another word, Nika left both Paige’s home office and her apartment, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor as she walked away. Paige looked at Nika’s retreating figure in offense, part of her resenting Nika for being able to obtain Azzi’s number. Paige reached for the paper and unfolded it with shaky hands. Paige let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the digits scrawled under Nika’s cursive handwriting. Paige pulled out her phone and dialed the number, bringing her phone up to her ear. Her heart was beating so loud she swore she could hear it.
When an automated dial tone was heard, Paige let out a groan of frustration. This was not Azzi’s number. Paige didn’t know if she wanted to laugh, cry, or scream. Damn Nika for giving her a false sense of hope.
Despite the disappointment, it was exactly what Paige needed to snap out of her self-induced zombie-like state. Paige stood up from her office chair, all 206 of her bones aching in protest, her knees screaming. Paige stumbled to her room and into the bathroom, where she washed her hair and body under a scalding hot stream of water. Paige's skin was screaming red, her cheeks flushed, but she felt cleaner than she had in days. Throwing on an old t-shirt and a pair of boxers, Paige climbed into bed, making sure her alarm was set.
Paige had decided to forgo looking for Azzi’s number, chalking it up to the fact that she wasn’t meant to find it. She believed, however, that she would run into Azzi again and work up the courage to ask Azzi for her number. Hopefully.
That didn’t stop her from being mad at Nika.
“A fake number? Really Niks?” Paige said a few days later while aggressively drying a wine glass behind the bar at 5 Nights.
“It wasn’t fake!” Nika said, aggressively washing a wine glass out before handing it to Paige. “KK gave me Azzi’s number. Maybe you typed it wrong. One too many clicks.” Nika shrugged. Paige scoffed, turning around to place the glass on a shelf before taking the next glass from Nika.
“I know how to type in a damn phone number,” Paige mumbled. “Maybe you wrote it down wrong.”
“Nope,” Nika said confidently, shaking her head. “KK wrote the number, I just wrote Azzi’s name. So if anything, you should be mad at KK.”
“Oh, so we’re just going to blame it on someone who isn’t here to defend themselves?” Paige said, kissing her teeth and shaking her head. Nika groaned, choosing to pick up another glass to wash instead of arguing with the blonde.
The truth was, no one had gotten it wrong. KK wrote down the right number and Paige typed it in correctly. The number just wasn’t Azzi’s updated number. After a particularly long night out, Azzi lost her phone. After circling back to the bar she lost it at, with Cam by her side, someone had turned it in. But just Azzi’s luck, it had been stepped on. Many times.
So Azzi decided to forgo a phone for the rest of the trip. Hence why Paige got an automated voicemail. The phone number wasn’t Azzi’s anymore.
Sitting next to Cam on the plane as it lands in LA, Azzi is oblivious to the blonde’s slack jaw next to her. Cam, like the rest of the team, is just now looking at her phone. Which means she is just now seeing the hundreds of missed calls from Paige. Cam almost thinks something is seriously wrong, that someone died, until she sees Paige’s texts coming in from all different times of night.
paigey
answer ur phone
hello???
bro pick up
i need u 2 give me azzi numba
plz?
alr cam
Cam had to hold back a laugh, not wanting to alert the curly haired girl next to her. Instead, Cam decided to nudge Azzi with her foot across the aisle of the plane. Azzi turned her head, looking up from the book she was reading. Azzi raised her brow, waiting for Cam to talk.
“When are you getting another phone?” Azzi furrowed her eyebrows, before shrugging her shoulders.
“Whenever I have time when we touch down. Why?” Now it was Cam’s turn to shrug her shoulders.
“No reason.” Azzi stared at Cam with squinted eyes for a few seconds, before she let out a hum, then went back to reading her book. Cam sighed to herself, thinking of something she could do to push Azzi’s agenda further along. Cam went back to her phone, seeing a text from her manager reminded her of this weekend's schedule. Cam smiled to herself when she saw she had a dinner with Paige scheduled. It was a monthly thing they did. Paige would come over to Cam’s apartment, and they would spend time together. If Ben was in town, he would hang out with them too. They normally cooked together, and Paige would stop at the store to get dessert.
“Hey,” Cam said, nudging Azzi again. Azzi sighed through her nose, before she pulled her attention away from her book again. When Azzi made eye contact with Cam, the blonde smiled. “Wanna come over for dinner this weekend?”
To Cam’s surprise, Azzi quickly agreed. “Yeah. Just let me know the details.”
“Sunday night at six. Be there or be square.” Cam’s words made Azzi laugh to herself, shaking her head at the blonde's antics. Cam smiled to herself, going back to her phone. Cam texted Paige, not bothering to reply to her previous texts. All she did was inform her sister that there would be an extra guest joining them for dinner this weekend, “forgetting” to mention who.
+++
Paige wasn’t a yearner.
She didn’t yearn for anyone or anything.
When Paige’s mom left and moved to Montana, she didn’t yearn for her parents to be together again. When her dad would miss away games she didn’t yearn to see him in the stands. When Paige went to college, she didn’t yearn to be back at home in her childhood bedroom. There wasn’t much Paige yearned for.
There were a lot of things Paige wanted. She wanted her parents to not be so focused on her love life. For 5 Nights to bring in a large profit every night. To be able to play basketball again. For her dog to not throw up on her expensive rug.
Standing in front of the baked goods section, trying to pick something out for her dinner with Cam, Paige wanted to be in her bed. She had no desire to show up at Cam’s and entertain her sister’s everlasting social battery, knowing her own could very much die quickly. Nonetheless, Paige grabbed a case of cheese danishes and went to check out, sighing to herself in preparation for the walk to Cam’s.
Cam actually lived in the apartment building across the street from Paige’s. It was funny, really, how the two blondes lived so close together and had such a close relationship, without seeing each other all that much. Especially in the summer, since Cam was in season and it was one of the busiest seasons for clubs and bars in LA, 5 Nights included.
When Paige passed her apartment building, the feeling of want came back. Paige wanted to be in bed, cuddled up with her dog, Kyrie, and have Azzi’s number saved in her phone.
But Paige has learned, she doesn’t always get what she wants.
Paige let out a deep breath before she knocked on Cam’s door. It was quiet after Paige’s knuckles hit the painted wood, before a voice shouted from the inside that the door was open. Bracing herself for the chaos that normally accompanied Cam, Paige pushed the door open.
Paige furrowed her brows when she didn't hear any clattering or conversation, something she normally heard every time she stepped foot into Cam’s. Paige toes off her shoes, pushing the sleeves of her hoodie up her forearms. Paige made a detour to the kitchen, placing the bag from the store onto the counter. From the floorplan of Cam’s apartment, Paige couldn’t see the living room from the kitchen.
Which is why Paige froze when she entered the living room, her jaw going slack and eyes going wide.
There, seated on the couch next to Cam, sipping red wine from a glass, was Azzi.
Cam glanced at Paige when she saw her from the corner of her eye, just standing in place, and smiled at her sister. “Hey Paige!” Cam said, her grin widening. Azzi, whose back was towards the blonde, twisted her torso around so her upper body was leaning on the back of the couch. Paige could have sworn her soul left her body with the way Azzi was looking at her.
Azzi sent Paige a soft smile, her bunny teeth slightly poking her bottom lip. She was in much more comfortable clothes than the previous times Paige had seen her, and Paige decided right there that this was her favorite version of Azzi. Her face was bare and her curls were piled atop her head, a few curls framing her face and making her look ethereal. She was wearing pink Juicy Couture pants with an oversized Sparks t-shirt, somehow pulling off the mismatched look perfectly. Paige felt very underdressed in her plain gray hoodie and sweatshorts.
“Hey,” Azzi said, her voice smooth and soft like butter, making Paige melt. “I didn’t know you would be here.”
“Yeah…” Paige mumbled, her feet still glued to the floor. “Cam didn’t tell me you would be here.”
“Surprise!” Cam said, standing from the couch and grabbing her wine glass from the table. “Come on, we;re making pizza. Paige, you have catching up to do.” Cam shook her wine glass in her hand, stalking off to the kitchen. Azzi looked at Paige, who was still frozen, and smiled before getting up herself.
As Azzi passed Paige, Paige caught a whiff of Azzi again. It was the same scent she smelled in the club, a mix of fresh fruit, vanilla, and something so painfully Azzi. Only this time, it felt warmer. Most likely due to the fact that they were at Cam’s apartment, somewhere comfortable, and not out and about. Still, it drew Paige in.
After a few seconds of Paige standing dumbly by herself, she turned around and followed the girls into the kitchen.
Cam had already laid out three balls of dough, the kitchen island coated in a thick layer of flour. Azzi was leaning against the counter, casually sipping from her glass. Cam was pulling items out of the fridge, the oven already pre-heating. Cam shut the fridge and turned to Azzi and Paige with a grin.
“Okay, I’ve got everything we need to make our pizzas. Let me just use the bathroom first.” Azzi nodded at Cam’s words, not having any intentions to move from her place against the counter. Paige was only able to handle the silence for so long before she became too antsy, and needed to break it. Azzi, noticing the slight fidgeting from Paige, saw the blonde’s gears turning, finding things she could say. After a few more moments of silence, Azzi decided to make it easy for the blonde.
“What are you going to put on your pizza?” Paige froze for a second, before her shoulders relaxed. Paige carded her fingers through her hair before she answered.
“Probably basic toppings. Pepperoni and olives. Nothing too fancy.” Azzi nodded, setting her glass down on the counter next to her. Paige watched her every move silently fawning over the veins in Azzi’s hands or the way her lips moved as she looked around. “What about you?”
“I’m going to put spinach on mine.” Paige made a face of disgust, which caused Azzu to softly laugh. “Not a fan of spinach?”
“Of anything green,” Paige grumbled. “Spinach on pizza?” Azzi shrugged, a relaxed smile on her face.
“Don’t knock it till you try it. You really don’t like veggies?” Azzi asked.
“I like…carrots. And like cucumbers.”
“Cucumbers are a fruit.” At Paige’s silence, Azzi let out another soft laugh. Despite Paige’s mild embarrassment, she couldn’t hold back a smile upon hearing Azzi’s giggles. Azzi couldn’t help the layer of satisfaction that settled deep in her gut upon seeing Paige’s gummy smile and her rosy cheeks. Something she did.
“They’re green. It counts.” Azzi nodded her head, Paige making a point.
Cam walked back in a few seconds later, rolling up her sleeves and already talking about her pizza was going to look the best. Paige scoffed, rolling her eyes and already back talking. Azzi claimed her dough ball while the sisters bickered, already getting a head start.
When it finally registered to the blondes that Azzi was already rolling out her dough, they turned to another another and promptly blamed it on the other being “distracing”. Azzi laughed out loud when Paige shoved Cam’s shoulder in order to reach the island first to claim her dough, selecting the dough ball right next to Azzi’s.
The three girls took their time making their pizza’s, all of them in a silent competition with one another. Well, mainly Paige thought so. Azzi was never in the competition, and Cam gave up halfway through when she realized she doesn’t care how her pizza looks, just that it tastes good. When all the girls were done with their pizza’s, they played tetris in order to make all three of them fit into the oven at the same time. After a few minutes, Cam shut the oven door, turning to the other two girls with a smile.
“In fifteen minutes, we will have three gorgeous pizza’s!”
Cam opened another bottle of wine, refilling the three glasses against Paige’s words. “Cam, I have to walk home.” Paige groaned out. Cam just shrugged, claiming Paige needed to enjoy the moment.
Despite her protests, and eye rolls, Paige happily sipped on her glass of wine while they waited for their pizzas to be done. Cam and Azzi sat on the barstools at the island, while Paige stood with her back to the counter. She had her arms crossed, which allowed her hoodie to rise up, and reveal a sliver of her stomach to Azzi. Azzi had to avert her eyes several times throughout the conversation, though her eyes kept traveling back to the pale skin.
When Cam’s looney tunes kitchen timer went off, Paige eagerly stood up and opened the oven, revealing the pizzas to the other girls. They were baked to perfection, the crust golden brown and the cheese perfectly melted. Paige rubbed her hands together in anticipation, but stepped to the side and allowed Cam to pull them out of the oven.
“Wait, I want to take a picture first!” Paige groaned at her sister's words, rolling her eyes. Cam left the kitchen for a moment, Paige and Azzi sharing a quick look and a smile. When Cam came back, she held her camera above the pizzas, waiting for the flash to go off before she set it down on the counter.
“Can we eat now?” Paige asked, already grabbing a plate. Cam rolled her eyes, but grabbed a plate for both her and Azzi.
“Yes Paige, we can eat.”
Paige dug in, piling her plate high. Despite her having no desire to be here earlier, the presence of both Azzi and her delicious pizza managed to change Paige’s mind. Once everyone had their plates ready and a full glass of wine, Cam guided all three girls back over to the living room. Cam turned on the TV, a rerun of last season’s Big Brother playing in the background while they talked.
It was mostly Cam talking and Paige annoying her, Azzi content to watch the sisters interact with each other. At one point, Cam was telling a story that made Paige laugh so hard she almost choked on her pizza. Her face turned bright red and her eyes started to water. Despite this, Azzi enjoyed watching Paige react to Cam’s words. Every brow twitch, laugh, and smile made Azzi’s heart warm. Paige’s simple beauty needed to be studied, truly.
By the time everyone was ready to wrap it up, two more bottles of wine had been emptied and all the pizza had been eaten. Azzi and Paige helped Cam wash dishes and clean the kitchen, putting away any unused pizza toppings. Cam thanked both the girls for coming over at the door.
“I had fun. We should do this again,” Cam said, wrapping Paige in a bone crushing hug. “Don’t be a grump.”
“Me?” Paige teasingly asked as she pulled away. Paige shook her head and scoffed. “Never.” Cam rolled her eyes, ignoring Paige’s words, and turned to Azzi to give her a hug.
“You guys be safe, okay?” Cam said. Azzi and Paige nodded, sliding their shoes on and stepping out the door. Cam waved to them before shutting the door.
In the quiet of the hallway under the bright lights, Azzi noticed Paige was definitely more of a lightweight than she let on. Her cheeks were flushed bright pink, her body was loose, and she had a carefree smile resting on her face. Paige started to walk with Azzi, but stopped in confusion when the basketball player stopped at the next door.
Paige looked from the door to Azzi in confusion. “Is this yours?” Azzi nodded, biting her lip to hold back a smile. Paig let out a soft breath, almost like she was realizing something for the first time.
“Did you walk here?” Azzi asked, even though she remembered Paige saying she would have to walk back. Paige nodded, her blonde hair framing her flushed cheeks. Azzi pursed her lips as she took in Paige’s state. Azzi placed her hand on the door handle and cocked her head inside. “Stay the night. You shouldn’t walk home alone.”
Paige scoffed, crossing her arms. “Why not? I’m a big girl.”
Azzi pursed her lips again, her eyes narrowing. Paige was going to try to fight her on this. When Azzi remained silent, Paige began to squirm. “My building is across the street. One block.” She grumbled.
“Why did you say you could walk home alone?” Azzi asked, her voice flat.
“Uh…” Paige said, seeming to forget everything under Azzi’s intense gaze. “I’m a big girl?” Azzi kissed her teeth and nodded her head, opening her apartment door and standing to the side to allow Paige inside.
“Exactly. You’re still a girl. I’m not letting you walk home alone at night in LA, half drunk.”
“M’not drunk,” Paige grumbled. Despite this, she dropped her hands to her sides and walked in the apartment door. Out of Paige’s sight, Azzi smirked. Something about the way Paige so easily gave into Azzi’s demands satisfied something deep in her gut. She had watched Paige be stubborn all night and argue with Cam about anything she could. But the way she so easily gave in to Azzi was everything Azzi could have asked for.
Azzi stepped inside behind Paige, turning on the foyer lights and kicking off her shoes. Paige was standing just inside the door, looking much like a lost toddler. Azzi smirked at her, and gestured with her head for Paige to follow her.
Paige followed Azzi down a hallway, away from the living space. Azzi stopped at the second door, shoving it open with her foot. “Here,” Azzi said. “Bathroom.”
Paige nodded, gnawing on her bottom lip with her teeth. Azzi briefly let her gaze fall to Paige’s now red and irritated lip, before she glanced away and went further down the hallway. The next door Azzi also shoved open with her foot. “This is the guest room. Extra pillows and blankets are in the closet. My room is right across the hallway. Do you need pj’s?”
“Uhm,” Paige glanced at her clothes before slowly nodding. “Yes please.” Azzi stared at her for a second, her brown eyes boring into Paige’s blue ones, before she nodded and slipped into her room. A few seconds later, she re-emerged with folded clothes in her hands.
“Here,” Azzi said, placing the clothes in Paige's arms. Paige had to physically restrain herself from reacting to the feeling of Azzi’s skin on hers. “Goodnight Paige.” Azzi said softly. Paige froze for a minute, her brain forgetting to reply.
“Goodnight Azzi.”
Azzi smiled at Paige, before she slipped back into her room, leaving the door cracked open.
When Paige came to the next morning, it was of her own accord instead of her normal blaring alarm. Paige momentarily forgot where she was, which set off alarm bells, but relaxed back into the covers when images of last night came flooding back to her. Part of Paige was a little sad that she didn’t have either of her dogs nosing at her face when she hit snooze on her alarm.
At that thought, Paige sat up quickly. Her two dogs had been left alone all night, when she promised them she would be back before she left. Gosh, she was a horrible mom. She would have to take down the plastic trophy Cam got her last christmas that said “World’s best dog mom”.
With a huff and begrudden urgency, Paige tossed the covers off her legs and sat up, running her hands through her hair before standing up. Paige made sure to grab her hoodie and toss it on over the pj’s Azzi had lended her last night, before grabbing her phone and wallet off of the floor. Paige decided she did not have time to put her own clothes back on, so she carried her sweats and t-shirt in her hand instead of throwing them on.
Exiting the room, Paige had to tug down the shorts she was wearing. The Soffee Short’s Azzi had lended her were a bit…shorter than Paige was used to. But Azzi was kind enough to let her stay and lend her clothes, so Paige didn’t complain.
Paige was momentarily confused when she heard the click of nails on the hardwood. Paige froze in front of the shut door, before a small face peered at her. A small brown dog with spots was standing just around the corner, looking at Paige with a quiet curiosity. Paige smiled to herself, before she quickly realised what she was leaving for.
“Sorry,” Paige murmured to the dog, stopping to scratch his head. “Momma’s on a mission.”
Paige rounded the corner into the living space, freezing when she caught Azzi’s eye. The curly haired girl was sitting on the couch, the TV playing the news while she sipped from a coffee mug. Her slippered feet were kicked up on the coffee table, and she watched Paige with one brow raised.
“Morning.” Azzi said.
“Uhm…Morning,” Paige swallowed. “What time is it?” Azzi took in Paige’s disheveled appearance, hiding her smirk behind her mug.
“Just after nine. Why? Got plans?” Paige flushed, and she tucked wild strands of hair behind her ear.
“Nope. Just realized I left my dogs alone overnight.” Azzi’s amused smile turned soft at Paige’s words, her eyes softening.
“I see,” Azzi hummed. “Well, the door’s open. Just shut it behind you so Stewie doesn’t get out.”
“Your dog's name is Stewie?” Paige asked. Azzi lowered her mug and let her smile show.
“What about yours?”
“I have two. Moore and Copper,” Paige paused, and Azzi could see the hesitancy in her body. “Can I…have your number?” Azzi paused for a moment, making Paige’s nerves skyrocket. Paige allowed herself to let out a breath when Azzi’s neutral face slowly curved into a smile.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Azzi set her mug on the coffee table and stood up, grabbing a stack of sticky notes and a pen from the side table. Azzi wrote her number down on the pink sticky note, before folding it in half and walking it to the blonde. Paige flushed, but grabbed the folded piece of paper and held onto it tight.
“Thanks,” Paige said, practically a whisper. “I’ll uhm…I’ll call you?” Azzi smiled again, her bunny teeth probing her bottom lip, making Paige practically melt.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Paige blushed again and sent Azzi a shy smile before she turned and walked to the door. She slid her shoes on and sent Azzi a shy wave before opening the door. Azzi sent Paige a grin but couldn’t help herself when Paige turned around. Maybe Azzi gave Paige a pair of Soffee shorts on purpose, waiting for the moment Azzi would have to watch her leave and get to see Paige’s cute ass in the short shorts.
Azzi was no better than a man.
hi babes
i need your guys help finding a paige fic. i can't remember if it was pazzi or not but it was a kid fic. i didn't get a chance to read it, but you don't see very many kid fics so thats why i vividly remember reading the summary. if anyone knows what im talking ab pls lmk!!